Japan special envoy hopeful about release of hostage, pilot
Source: AP-Excite
By MARI YAMAGUCHI and ELAINE KURTENBACH
TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese envoy in Jordan expressed hope that both Japanese hostage Kenji Goto and a Jordanian pilot held by Islamic militants will return home "with a smile on their faces," as questions rose Tuesday over the government's handling of the crisis.
In the Jordanian capital, Amman, Deputy Foreign Minister Yasuhide Nakayama seemed determined, saying he believed there were "firm ties" between Japan and Jordan.
"I hope we can all firmly work hard and join hands to cooperate, and for the two countries (Japan and Jordan) to cooperate, in order for us to see the day when the Jordanian pilot and our Japanese national Mr. Goto, can both safely return to their own countries with a smile on their faces," Nakayama, a lawmaker send to coordinate efforts in Amman to save two Japanese hostages of the Islamic State group, said late Monday night.
It was the first mention by a Japanese official of Jordanian pilot 1st Lt. Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh, who has been held by the extremist Islamic State group after crashing in December. It wasn't clear when the pilot's possible release had entered the picture.
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A woman along with other protesters hold a placard and chant "Free Goto" during a rally outside the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. A Japanese envoy in Jordan expressed hope that both a Japanese hostage and a Jordanian pilot held by Islamic militants will return home {201c}with a smile on their faces,{201d} as criticisms mounted Tuesday over the government{2019}s handling of the crisis. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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