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News Archive |
LAST UPDATE
July 11, 2005
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| April 13, 2004 |
Hostage Crisis in Iraq: Appeal for their release and the withdrawal of Japan's self-defense forces |
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The hostage crisis in Iraq, in particular the capture of three Japanese civilians on April 8 by armed group Saraya al-Mujahidin for political ends, is condemned unconditionally by Peace Boat, as is the ongoing military occupation of Iraq and the dispatch of Japan’s self-defense forces.
- Protest actions in Japan – April 13, 2004
- Links to media coverage of Peace Boat action – April 13, 2004
- Appeal for the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Japan’s self-defense forces – April 10, 2004
- Peace Boat Director travels to Aljazeera headquarters to work for hostages’ release – April 10, 2004
- Peace Boat statement opposing the dispatch of the SDF – December 8, 2003
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Appeal for the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Japan’s self-defense forces
As an NGO based in Japan, we demand the immediate release of all three civilians of Japanese nationality held hostage in Iraq. These three young people are civilians and they are in Iraq with the intention of carrying out humanitarian support for the Iraqi people. Moreover, they oppose both the occupation of Iraq by the US-coalition forces and the dispatch of Japan’s self-defense forces (SDF). It would be a senseless and violent act for these individuals to be murdered as a response to the SDF presence in Iraq.
We call for the support and solidarity of the Iraqi people in securing the safe release of the three hostages, and avoiding a tragedy. >>READ MORE |
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Peace Boat Director travels to Aljazeera Headquarters to work for hostages’ release
April 10, 2004
Peace Boat Director Yoshioka Tatsuya has travelled to the headquarters of Arab media network, Aljazeera, in Qatar, in an effort to help bring about the resolution of the hostage crisis in Iraq. Yoshioka is a representative of those voices in Japanese civil society supporting the withdrawal of Japanese troops from Iraq. He carries an urgent appeal on behalf of the families of the three hostages, as well as all those from Japan and beyond who call for the release of Noriaki Imai, Soichiro Koriyama and Nahoko Takato.
He will take with him a video message directed at the hostage-takers which highlights the humanitarian aid work of the three hostages and contains appeals from friends and family of the hostages, politicians, concerned civilians as well as an Iraqi child with leukemia befriended by Imai. There is also footage of the intensifying public demonstrations calling for the Japanese government to withdraw from Iraq.
Resolution of the Japanese hostage issue is critical. Not only for humanitarian reasons, but also because it impacts the direction of Japanese government policy in Iraq and the question of Japan’s remilitarization. Moreover, for the sake of continuing goodwill between the peoples of Japan and Iraq – and the wider Arab world, a non-violent resolution is paramount. We believe in the paramount importance of saving the lives of these individuals by getting these messages to the Iraqi public through the broadcast network of Aljazeera. |
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April 13, 2004
Japanese civil society has responded to the hostage crisis with demonstrations and actions calling for the release of the hostages and the withdrawal of Japan’s self-defense forces.
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Hunger Strike Five Peace Boat staff began a hunger strike at 13:00 on Saturday April 10, 2004 in front of the Japanese Parliament buildings. This was maintained by the five until Tuesday morning April 12, and continues currently in 24 hour relay form. For interviews with the hunger-strikers contact 03-3363-8047.
- Public Demonstrations Since Friday April 9, twice-daily protest gatherings have been held in front of the Japanese Parliament buildings at 12:00 and 18:00. These protests have been organized through Japanese civil society’s World Peace Now and World Social Forum networks.
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Links to media coverage of Peace Boat action
Interview with Amy Goodman from US community media collaboration Democracy Now – www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/04/12/1423256 |
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Peace Boat Statement on the Dispatch of the Self-Defense forces
December 8, 2003
Although still mourning the loss of the two Japanese diplomats recently killed in Iraq, the Japanese Government continues to support the US-UK led military occupation that is generating hatred amongst Iraqi civilians and has become a target for attacks. This course of action substantially increases the risk of attack by terrorist or armed groups not only to Japanese government officials, but also to civilians. >>READ MORE
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