Japan paid Y200 million for release of university student kidnapped in Iran

Tuesday 30th December, 06:25 AM JST

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likeitis at 12:11 PM JST - 30th December

Why not just go to Somalia or Nigeria for that matter...?

Iran is NOT Somalia nor Nigeria. Iran has some backward ways, but they are not that backward. If not for Israeli bombings they would be using nuclear power right now, so they must be doing something right.

Why in f would you go over to one of these countries to study...?

Maybe to get the truth instead of rely on the hate driven hearsay of certain people?

Also, if true, this makes Japan a financial backer of terrorism and banditry.

Why just go for "sponsor of terror" or a country with "ties to terror" so we can invade Japan and get rich?

these people pick a middle east hotbed

Hotbed of what? Of kidnapping?

As if people don't get kidnapped in every country on the planet save maybe Vatican City! Its the frequency that counts, and I can't say I have heard enough about foreign kidnappings in Iran lately to declare it some sort of hotbed.
bamboohat at 12:12 PM JST - 30th December

I've heard stories of japanese businessmen being kidnapped abroad because they know they are generally good for the ransom. Not a good stereotype to have if you are Japanese traveling abroad.

I guess not having a military with any teeth leads the kidnappers to not fear any repurcussions.
likeitis at 12:17 PM JST - 30th December

A government in denial. A very foolish move by Japan. These govt capitulators have endanger the lives of Japanese nationals throughout the Middle East.

Which is why they deny doing it even if they did do it.
borscht at 12:35 PM JST - 30th December

Why just go for "sponsor of terror" or a country with "ties to terror" so we can invade Japan and get rich?

Hey, hey, hey, don't be giving the waning days of the Bush any ideas.

foreign kidnappings in Iran lately to declare it some sort of hotbed

Nor have I but I've read enough about domestic kidnappings (that lead to beheadings rather than $2,000,000 ransoms) to know that it's a hotbed of kidnappings. (Also Brazil but those are mostly rich people getting kidnapped for ransom, not political.)

Have a happy new year, ya'll.
WilliB at 01:01 PM JST - 30th December

They just increased the value of Japanese hostages considerably. Wise use of our tax money.
Dogdog at 01:05 PM JST - 30th December

But if that 24 year old boy were your son

He wouldn't be trekking around a potentially dangerous part of the world. He would have more common sense to realize that 'Abunai Gykoku', broadcast on NHK international, is not the bible on who and where are the dangerous places in the world.
likeitis at 01:13 PM JST - 30th December

He wouldn't be trekking around a potentially dangerous part of the world.

I take that to mean he would not be trekking at all. I remember a case of a young Japanese trekking into the wrong yard on Halloween night...
buddha4brains at 01:31 PM JST - 30th December

I guess not having a military with any teeth leads the kidnappers to not fear any repurcussions.

So I guess the US will get attacked again since the main players and sponsors were never punished by Bush/Cheney.

or try this ... Americans never have to worry about being attacked because of being American since the US military is so strong.

Or how about this ... Canadians never travel abroad for fear of being kidnapped because its military is toothless.
likeitis at 01:40 PM JST - 30th December

My biggest question is: What were the Iranian authorities doing for 8 months?

Were they sitting on their hands or were they doing the best thing to keep the guy alive?
likeitis at 01:43 PM JST - 30th December

buddha4brains--don't confuse us. The strength of a country's military has not relationship on one's odds of being kidnapped. Its not one or the other. Its neither.
Totillytarian at 02:01 PM JST - 30th December

It's true, people get kidnapped everywhere. I still want to go to Iran and Central Asia.

Some people just like travel and think it's important, for cultural exchange and personal growth for example. The rest of you can stay at home safe and sound ;).

Glad that guy got freed.
bebert at 03:35 PM JST - 30th December

Japan should make it illegal for it's own nationals to go to countries that have these kinds of kidnappers.

You take a risk as a Westerner or Japanese of being kidnapped for ransom or murdered if you travel anywhere in Third World, not just Iran or Islamic countries. In some ways, Muslim countries are safer, because the laws are so much stricter (unless you are dealing with a corrupt insider). Still, your chances of getting some weird-ass disease is far greater.
BBLeo at 06:03 PM JST - 30th December

I remember this issue from a while back. Don't tell me that the government hasn't done anything yet to resolve this matter to obtain his freedom? This is a good lesson for other young students, when they go to study in another country. Remember that 'MONEY IS MY LORD' all over the world.
Disillusioned at 08:48 PM JST - 30th December

Idiots! Now, there will be a flood of kidnapped Japanese held for ransom. I admit it is good they got the kid back alive, but it's just opened the door for every other twit with a need for some cash to single out Japanese people and hold them for ransom.
ptolemy at 05:04 PM JST - 5th January

After 1979 I doubt many Americans would want to travel to Iran, but those of us who do have returned to say the people were polite in the cities, and there are warnings not to travel into the rural areas, in

English, French, German, Spanish, Farsi, Arabic, Chinese, and as I can recall Japanese.

Japan, unlike most countries, will nanny their citizens from cradle to grave. Momma bird will never kick them out of the nest, or expect them to use critical reasoning in important circumstances, as this story shows even pay for their release when they get kidnapped, at the time he returned I recall him apologizing on NHK for traveling to an area he had been warned not to travel to, and causing so much trouble.