The families of the three Japanese held captive in Iraq urged the government Saturday not to seek any help from U.S. military special units in freeing the hostages.

At a news conference in Tokyo, the families said such a step would only fuel anti-U.S. feelings among the kidnappers, who have not been identified, and endanger the hostages' lives.

Speaking out were relatives of Noriaki Imai, 18, a freelance writer; Soichiro Koriyama, 32, a freelance photo journalist; and volunteer worker Nahoko Takato, 34.