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15/04/2004
Three Japanese hostages released unharmed
The three Japanese nationals, whom Iraqi militants had threatened to burn to death, have been released unharmed, it has been reported today.
According to the Arabic-language news broadcaster Al Jazeera, the three – Soichiro Koriyama, 32, Noriaki Imai, 18, and Nahoko Takato, 34 – were released apparently unharmed following the intervention of the Sunni-led Association of Muslim Scholars.
Al Jazeera aired pictures of the trio as they recuperated in the offices of the association. They have since been moved to the Japanese embassy in Baghdad.
Rebels captured the Japanese nationals on April 6 and had threatened to burn them if Tokyo did not withdraw its troops from Iraq.
The group said that it would kill the hostages within three days if Japan's 550 Self Defence Force soldiers did not leave the country.
The Japanese government had said that its troops were deployed only in a strictly humanitarian capacity in accordance with the country's pacifist constitution – adopted after defeat in the Second World War – which places restrictions on the use of troops in conflict zones.
Elsewhere, the Mainichi Daily News has reported that the Japanese government is investigating claims that another two of its citizens have been kidnapped.
The pair, thought to be journalists, may have been abducted near Abu-Greib, west of Baghdad, last night.
(gmcg)
According to the Arabic-language news broadcaster Al Jazeera, the three – Soichiro Koriyama, 32, Noriaki Imai, 18, and Nahoko Takato, 34 – were released apparently unharmed following the intervention of the Sunni-led Association of Muslim Scholars.
Al Jazeera aired pictures of the trio as they recuperated in the offices of the association. They have since been moved to the Japanese embassy in Baghdad.
Rebels captured the Japanese nationals on April 6 and had threatened to burn them if Tokyo did not withdraw its troops from Iraq.
The group said that it would kill the hostages within three days if Japan's 550 Self Defence Force soldiers did not leave the country.
The Japanese government had said that its troops were deployed only in a strictly humanitarian capacity in accordance with the country's pacifist constitution – adopted after defeat in the Second World War – which places restrictions on the use of troops in conflict zones.
Elsewhere, the Mainichi Daily News has reported that the Japanese government is investigating claims that another two of its citizens have been kidnapped.
The pair, thought to be journalists, may have been abducted near Abu-Greib, west of Baghdad, last night.
(gmcg)
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08 April 2004
Iraqi rebels threaten to kill Japanese hostages
Rebels have threatened to burn alive three Japanese hostages they are holding if Tokyo does not withdraw its troops from Iraq, the Arabic news service Al Jazeera has reported today.
Iraqi rebels threaten to kill Japanese hostages
Rebels have threatened to burn alive three Japanese hostages they are holding if Tokyo does not withdraw its troops from Iraq, the Arabic news service Al Jazeera has reported today.
22 February 2005
Australia to send more troops to Iraq
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced plans to send more Australian troops to Iraq. Speaking in Canberra today, Mr Howard announced that an extra 450 Australian troops will be sent to Iraq, to protect Japanese engineers working in the al-Muthanna province in the south of the country.
Australia to send more troops to Iraq
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has announced plans to send more Australian troops to Iraq. Speaking in Canberra today, Mr Howard announced that an extra 450 Australian troops will be sent to Iraq, to protect Japanese engineers working in the al-Muthanna province in the south of the country.
05 November 2010
UK Property Prices 'Still Falling'
House prices in the three months to October were 1.2% lower than in the preceding three months, according to the Halifax. The financial services provider, part of the Lloyds Banking Group, said prices in October were 2.3% lower than at the end of 2009 on a seasonally adjusted basis (-1.2% unadjusted).
UK Property Prices 'Still Falling'
House prices in the three months to October were 1.2% lower than in the preceding three months, according to the Halifax. The financial services provider, part of the Lloyds Banking Group, said prices in October were 2.3% lower than at the end of 2009 on a seasonally adjusted basis (-1.2% unadjusted).
09 June 2005
Manufacturing output shows slight upward trend
Figures published today by the Office of National Statistics have shown that between March and April this year manufacturing output rose by 0.9%. While analysts warn that monthly growth rates are "volatile" indicators of productivity, there were nonetheless widespread rises in manufacturing, the most significant being increases in output of 2.
Manufacturing output shows slight upward trend
Figures published today by the Office of National Statistics have shown that between March and April this year manufacturing output rose by 0.9%. While analysts warn that monthly growth rates are "volatile" indicators of productivity, there were nonetheless widespread rises in manufacturing, the most significant being increases in output of 2.
21 March 2014
Japanese Firm Move Rail Business To The UK
The Japanese electronics firm Hitachi is to move its global rail business from Japan to the United Kingdom. The move is expected to help expand its rail business from 2,500 to 4,000 workers and raise its income from €2bn to €3bn. The firm won a £1.
Japanese Firm Move Rail Business To The UK
The Japanese electronics firm Hitachi is to move its global rail business from Japan to the United Kingdom. The move is expected to help expand its rail business from 2,500 to 4,000 workers and raise its income from €2bn to €3bn. The firm won a £1.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A generally dry and bright day with some sunny spells. However, thicker cloud could give patchy rain at first near North Channel coasts, perhaps the odd shower breaking out in the west later in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Any showers in the west soon dying out, dry for most with some clear spells. Showery outbreaks of rain could develop across parts of the south overnight. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
