For Japanese Hostages, Release Only Adds to Stress

[Snellius]

TOKYO, April 22 — The young Japanese taken hostage in Iraq returned home this week, not to the warmth of a yellow ribbon embrace but to a disapproving nation's cold stare.

The first three hostages, including a woman who helped street children on the streets of Baghdad, first appeared on television two weeks ago as their knife-brandishing kidnappers threatened to slit their throats. A few days after their release, they landed here on Sunday, in the eye of a peculiarly Japanese storm.

"You got what you deserve!" one Japanese held up a hand-written sign at the airport where they landed. "You are Japan's shame," another wrote on the Web site of one of the hostages. They had "caused trouble" for everybody. The government, not to be outdone, announced it would bill them $6,000 for airfare.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/22/international/asia/22CND-JAPAN.html?hp

[SoCalDem]

1. I am very happy that they escaped

but I hope their experience sheds some light on the nature of a war zone.. There is a place for NGO assistance, but when people who just want to help, wander in naively , they do create problems for the combatants and their countrymen at home..

I am surprised at the harassment by fellow citizens.. Japanese people are generally very polite..


On a smaller scale, we have a similar situation EVERY year in Calif..

Snowboarders, skiiers, & hikers who love the "adventure" and end up getting themselves lost in the wilderness..Lots of times they ARE rescued, but at a pretty high cost to the state (financially).. They have started to bill people for their own rescues.. At first there was some grumbling, but what is a life worth, anyway??

[Christ was Socialist]

2. This is sad

I understand the anger at troops, and "christian invaders" but these people were honestly trying to help.

[Blue_Tires]

3. tough crowd

why even go through the "courtesy" of saving them?? maybe the terrorists can also send them a bill for the food and lodging while under their "custody"

[pippin]

4. Frankly, anyone who "helps" the US led cause

whether it be contractual workers, humanitarian aid workers or the military is not going to get the world's sympathy these days. The attitude apparently is "you got what you deserved" for helping an unworthy cause. The Japanese, like the Spanish, Italians, French and British etc., were adamantly opposed to the war. If anyone remembers, their anti-war rallies in Japan were huge, so any one who thought they were special enough to go on a pro-US mission without facing some dire consequenced had had to be in denial. Same goes for all the Americans in the special security forces, the contractual workers and missionaries.

[Chicago Democrat]

5. I don't get this? Why are the Japanese being total dicks?

Probably because of the victims politics?

[fishnfla]

6. I dont get japanese culture sometimes

This strikes me as bizarre.

[PfcHammer]

7. damn ! that's a tough crowd.

[kskiska]

8. The Japanese are strange people

My ex-boyfriend taught there for a number of years and had been married to a Japanese woman. I've learned quite a bit about the Japanese and their customs. Sometimes it's like Alice Through the Looking-Glass.

From the article:
When two freed hostages mentioned wanting to stay or return to Iraq to continue their work, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi angrily urged them "to have some sense."

Maybe Mr. Koizumi should have had "some sense" before he agreed to do *'s bidding.

[otohara]

9. And That's Why My Japanese Hubby Moved To America

after college, he worked for a big corporation like your're supposed to do...for the rest of your life.

Then he decided to travel Europe (by himself, shocking behavior in Japan) Ever notice when you travel abroad, Japanese tourists are in groups?

Anyway, after a year traveling and a year living in Germany...he went back to his home country. When he started to look for a job, his two year absence from Japan was noticeable and was look upon unfavorably. He broke that cycle of being a good and loyal Japanese worker for life at one good company.

They are very harsh when it comes to being a good Japanese citizen and take issues like work very seriously. Think of how many men hang themselfves because of failed businesses, scandals?

[kskiska]

10. Right. They're very suspicious of anyone who's left Japan

and returned. They're tainted somehow. They even have a word for it. People who've studied abroad or lived abroad aren't considered Japanese anymore. Also, bonzai is a good example of their idea of conformity – forced growth. They like food items to be all the same size and shape. Individuality is discouraged. Anything that sticks up is to be hammered down.