The kidnapping of Jumpei Yasuda in Syria by the Nusra Front group is Japan's latest run-in with Islamists, and highlights its limitations. Japan's inability — due to constitutional and logistical barriers — to extract hostages naturally results in discussions about the country's pacifist stance. To this end, it is interesting to note Japan's storied and inconsistent reactions to hostage situations.
For instance, the kidnapping of Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa by Islamic State in 2015 added fuel to Japanese debates about the country's international involvement and constitutional limitations on the use of force. In recent years the Abe government has been engaged in efforts to loosen the restrictions on the pacifist Constitution. Supporters of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe argue that if Japan had more latitude to deploy its troops, it could prevent or at least quickly respond to future kidnappings. Opponents counter that Japan's efforts in greater international involvements (aiding U.S. ventures) were to blame for the IS hostage crisis. A more activist Japan courts greater danger by becoming involved in far-off conflicts; so say Abe's critics.
The claim that Japan's activism in the region spurred IS to target Japanese civilians is not without merit. As part of his ongoing international campaign to increase Japan's international profile, Abe has visited some 50 countries, including states in the Middle East. During a visit to Cairo in 2015, Abe explicitly cited IS as a threat, while announcing $200 million in humanitarian aid in support of the anti-IS coalition. A few days later IS ransomed Goto and Yukawa for this exact amount, citing Abe's pledge as the reason. The short amount of time between pledge of support and ransom request had some wondering whether Abe's words ignited the crisis.