Tag: hostage

It is very Japanese to apologize for causing a fuss even when you are taken hostage:

A Japanese journalist freed from Syria this week arrived home to overjoyed relatives and supporters, but also to vitriol from some who accuse him and other hostages of reckless behaviour.

Jumpei Yasuda was kidnapped in Syria in 2015, and spent more than three years in conditions he described as “hell.”

He arrived back in Japan on Thursday night, greeted by his delighted wife and parents, who had brought him homemade Japanese food to celebrate.

But even before Yasuda set foot on Japanese soil, he was the target of angry criticism — mostly online — ranging from accusations of recklessness to claims that he was not even Japanese.

“He is disturbing society,” wrote one Twitter user. “He’s an anti-citizen,” charged another.

Perhaps anticipating the criticism, Yasuda’s only statement upon arrival, read to reporters by his wife Myu, was dominated by an apology.

“I apologise for causing such trouble and worry, but thanks to all of you, I was able to come home safely,” he said.  [AFP]

You can read more at the link, but what made things worse for Yasuda was that he was once taken hostage in Iraq in 2004 as well.  This guy is obviously doing something wrong to be taken hostage by Islamic extremists twice.  With that said there is even a South Korean angle to this story:

And detractors have claimed Yasuda is not even Japanese, partly as the result of a bizarre hostage video showing him and another captive in Syria that emerged in August.

Despite speaking Japanese, he identified himself as a South Korean called “Omar”, apparently after his kidnappers banned him from revealing his identity or nationality.

“This guy isn’t even Japanese,” wrote one Twitter user. “He should go back to his country, South Korea,” added another.

That is pretty bizarre, but I am glad the guy made it safely back to Japan, but I think he should contemplate a career change.