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Worries grow about freelance Japanese journalist in Syria

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The government has warned journalists countless times to stay away from Iraq and Syria, and I clearly remember even many JT readers saying that they should sign a document clearly absolving the government of any responsibility concerning their fate, if they choose to go there.

So if he turns up in an orange jumpsuit on YouTube, can we all agree this time that it is not Prime Minister Abe's fault?

10 ( +14 / -5 )

Freelance journalists are a special breed. The first time he got kidnapped wasn't enough to convince him to up his security detail or get the hell out of the MidEast?

This year a friend of mine asked me if he should go to Kurdistan, Ukraine, or Afghanistan for his first freelancing gig. I told him "Dude, combat veterans go to Kurdistan....and DIE. What do you think will happen to your cherry ass?"

He went to Afghanistan (partly because we both knew a few trustworthy people there) and left just as this year's Spring Offensive was heating up.

I wouldn't want to walk around a warzone with anything less than a platoon of Marines with me.

3 ( +6 / -4 )

I wouldn't want to walk around a warzone with anything less than a platoon of Marines with me.

Like it or not that would put an even bigger target on your back. Sometimes not sticking out is safer, but if you're a newbie you are probably right.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Call to arms, send the LDP special forces rescue team!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

They chose to be there so don't use our tax money to get them out.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Hopefully Abe doesn't bring on or just hasten any executions this time.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

He really knew the risks as he was taken hostage before. Please do not use government ( my tax yen) to get him out.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

can we all agree this time that it is not Prime Minister Abe's fault?

Hopefully he won't offer any money to fight ISIS, knowing that one of his citizens has been kidnapped.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

A new clause needs to be added to Abe's change in the constitution. A rescue clause.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

ISIS the rebels Al Qaeda and government forces all are potential danger to journalists Syria it's a hell now but hopefully this guy just took some days off and will call back with good news.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

We need the SDF to rescue him. We have F-15J, helicopters, destroyers, carriers, Tanks. Lets do this!!! Get ISIS put of tow.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

It's dangerous work finding out the truth. Sometimes very dangerous.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Not three others. One other: Watanabe Nobutaka. Yasuda and Watanabe were taken hostage shortly after three others were taken hostage in April 2004. So, five Japanese citizens in total. The five were released unharmed and paid back expenses to the Japanese government. They choose not to be "embedded" with the government media operations. Hate them if you want. They chose to be independent--for you. Only global citizens will benefit from their reporting. I wish the best for Mr. Yasuda. God bless you.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Yasanora to this guy said to say but why should one person make the entire country worry he took a chance so he is excepting his fate. I say to the people "DONT WORRY BE HAPPY"

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Why all the hullabaloo? He's a big boy. If indeed he has been kidnapped by IS or whomever, let's not forget that he chose to go to Syria. Occupational hazard. I doubt he lives in a bubble whereby he's unaware of the risks, especially if you take into account his experience a decade ago. Bottom line, journalists working in war zones partake in one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, military personnel aside. Nobody should be responsible for his actions.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Journalist with official card shall always be allowed to go anywhere. Their work is to report. If no one does this, no more freedom of press. They are well insured anyway. You don't stop a good stuntman for doing his job, do you ?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

overchan: "We need the SDF to rescue him. We have F-15J, helicopters, destroyers, carriers, Tanks. Lets do this!!! Get ISIS put of tow."

Wow, some of you are really gung-ho to start a war, despite the Constitution saying it's illegal, regardless of Abe ramming through security legislation that expands, and changes, the meaning of "self-defense". What do you think sending all of that military into SOVEREIGN NATIONS who don't want you there would do, besides getting the forces you send in all killed? Remember the last time Japan made threats against ISIS? and that was only ISIS -- it wouldn't be the lands you've invaded.

Nope, this guy went in himself, and is probably already gone. I hope he's not, and that he's gotten away, but it's highly unlikely, and even if he's still alive he'll be used like Goto was.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

So if he turns up in an orange jumpsuit on YouTube, can we all agree this time that it is not Prime Minister Abe's fault?

The same people who blame Abe for banning travel to Syria and confiscating passports will be the same to blame Abe for an ISIS beheading.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@overchanJUL. 22, 2015 - 10:08PM JST We need the SDF to rescue him. We have F-15J, helicopters, destroyers, carriers, Tanks. Lets do this!!! Get ISIS put of tow

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

SDF can not save him unless SDF has spies planted all over inside ISIS to find when he will be beheaded. or where he is kept .

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

TOSHIKO. First. We're ally of the USA so hey can gather information for us. Second. How do you know if we have spies in Syria. And Third. Just remember Wikileaks said that the Ministry was making a Spy agency 4 years ago.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

overchan I wrote unless .... I don;t think US can gather info when CIA has been complaining in USA about ISIS all these days. 2 I wrote unless 3 so you are saying Japan has spy agency? Whar is link to Wikileaks?
-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Im for real. Just remember the New Defence Agency created by Abe. And when they say that "its being created its(created years ago)."

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

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