Japanese press relief at hostage release

Relief and criticism in Japanese papers

Japanese papers reflect the nation's joy at the freeing of three hostages in Iraq. But they also dwell on fears for the future and lessons to be learned from the incident.

"Joy over the release but new apprehensions," is a headline in the mass-circulation Asahi Shimbun.

After all, the paper says, we cannot be "too overjoyed", as there is news that another two Japanese are missing in Iraq.

The paper goes on to suggest that while Prime Minister Koizumi says Self-Defence Forces (SDF) are in Iraq for humanitarian reasons, the real reason was to "meet the expectations of the United States".

That is why, the paper concludes, Japanese nationals will remain potential targets. So perhaps the withdrawal of the SDF should be considered, it suggests.

Lessons

Leading business daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun says the release has "left us with several lessons".

It is important to maintain a firm attitude of never yielding to despicable threats Yomiuri Shimbun

It points out that the three hostages ignored government warnings. And it advises them to do some "soul-searching", since their actions could have tied down Japan's foreign policy.

The paper praises the Japanese Government for its unwavering stand and says Japan should continue its reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

Mainichi Shimbun, Japan's third largest paper, also mixes relief with criticism of the hostages and their "careless actions".

The prime minister was right to refuse to withdraw, the paper argues, adding that ultimately it is up to individuals to take their own precautions.

And it suggests that the other two Japanese reported missing in Iraq may have been lax about their safety.

Japan's largest daily, Yomiuri Shimbun, agrees that there are "quite a few lessons to be learned".

The paper is in no doubt as to what the main one is.

Taking hostages is not supported by the whole of Islamic society Tokyo Shimbun

"It is important to maintain a firm attitude of never yielding to despicable threats," the paper says.

"The government should not reveal any weakness that gives the impression to a terrorist group that it can make the country change an important policy by threatening to kill kidnapped civilians."

Unity

Yomiuri Shimbun goes on to say that the incident has demonstrated the need for the nation to be united in such crises.

Urging Japanese nationals in Iraq to heed government warnings and act with "self-responsibility", the paper also has some advice for the rest of the world.

"The international community needs to get united anew to construct a new Iraq," it says.

And it suggests that Japan needs to pull its weight in this community.

The Japanese Government will never accept hostage takers' demands Sankei Shimbun

"Japan has sent Self-Defence Forces, which are engaged in humanitarian reconstruction activities. Being affected by the hostage crisis, it must fulfil its responsible role more, as a member of the international community," the paper says.

The Sankei Shimbun daily, in turn, is disappointed at the attitude of some family members of the abductees.

It says they should not have criticised the government, in refusing to bow to the captors' demands.

"People who are planning to visit Iraq should not forget the basic principles," the paper says.

"Namely, the Japanese Government will never accept hostage takers' demands and if people act in disregard of the government's recommendations, they will have to bear self-responsibility."

The paper concludes that if the released nationals and their families persist in making statements "for political purposes", they will face a "frosty response".

The Tokyo daily Tokyo Shimbun takes heart in the fact that the release was secured largely thanks to appeals by Iraqi Muslims.

This shows that "taking hostages is not supported by the whole of Islamic society", the paper says.

"And it confirms that regular exchanges with groups and religious circles will help greatly."

Regarding the Japanese deployment in Iraq, the paper says it is necessary to maintain a presence.

"If Japan accepts the demand for SDF withdrawal, it would give the impression that Japan is a coward, and there is a possibility that acceptance of the demand would cause another hostage case."

In conclusion the paper calls for a system of cross-border cooperation to prevent hostage crises.

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.