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========================================================== Koizumi Cabinet E-mail Magazine No. 137 (April 15, 2004) ==========================================================
[Lion Heart -- Message from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi]
Japanese nationals being held hostage in Iraq
Late in the evening on Thursday, April 8, the world learned the shocking news that three Japanese nationals had been abducted and were being held hostage in Iraq. In no circumstance whatsoever can the world tolerate abductions or hostage-taking. Immediately upon learning that three of our nationals had been seized, the government established a task force that has been relentlessly working to secure their immediate release. Within the Prime Minister's Office, under the direction of Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, an emergency response system was established and has maintained close cooperation with all the related ministries and agencies. From the moment the first word was obtained on the incident, the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary for Crisis Management and countless other staff members have been working around the clock to gather information and dealing with the situation at the Crisis Management Center located underground at the Prime Minister's Office. For her part, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi immediately took steps to ensure the release of the hostages including directly calling foreign ministers of various countries to appeal for their cooperation in securing the safe release of the hostages. The day following the broadcast of the shocking images of those three innocent civilians, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa quickly flew to Amman, Jordan in order to assume direct command of the emergency headquarters there in close proximity to Iraq. More than 100 government officials assembled in the operations room under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have too been putting in ceaseless effort working on gaining cooperation from various countries and corresponding with the overseas diplomatic establishments of Japan. Complementing these efforts, the government has mobilized all resources under its authority including the National Police Agency and the Defense Agency to maximize its efforts to rescue the hostages. I can only imagine the unbearable anxiety of the family members of these three hostages. I feel that in a time of crisis such as this, it is vital that the families feel reassured that everything possible is being done to secure the release of their loved ones and that we encourage them to remain hopeful. Japan, in cooperation with the United Nations and the international community, is providing assistance for the Iraqi people in the hope that without further delay they will be able to reconstruct their own country with their own hands. There is no change in the position that the Self-Defense Forces will continue to provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance as they work together with the Iraqi people. Taking heed of the danger on the ground there, since February of last year, the government has issued travel advice and warnings urging that Japanese nationals not enter Iraq and calling upon all Japanese nationals who might be in the country to evacuate. For their own safety, without exception, I ask every Japanese citizen to follow these warnings. In fact, this year alone, 14 such warnings has been issued. Still, despite these efforts on the part of the government some people continue to enter Iraq. Once again, I would like to remind everyone of the importance of these advisories and request that everyone take them to heart. I will remain vigilant and do everything in my power to ensure the soonest possible safe release of the hostages. I will also see to it that Japan continues to do its utmost in assisting the Iraqi people as they rebuild to create a peaceful and democratic country.
* The title of this column "Lion Heart" is a reference to the Prime Minister's lion-like hairstyle and his unbending determination to advance structural reform.
- Members of the Japan-France Dialogue Forum Pay Courtesy Call on
Prime Minister (April 13, 2004)
- Prime Minister Meets with Vice President of the United States of America (April 12, 2004)
- Prime Minister Meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of
Turkey (April 12, 2004)
- Prime Minister Meets with Representatives of a Group Campaigning
for the Return of the Northern Islands (April 12, 2004)
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