The family of Shosei Koda, the hostage found beheaded in Iraq, expressed gratitude Sunday for public support and apologized for causing trouble over the crisis.
Koda's brother, Maki, 26, was quoted as telling officials of the city of Nogata, where the family lives, "We feel deep gratitude for those who supported us, while also being sorry for causing trouble. Despite the outcome, we hope peace will come to the Iraqi people as soon as possible."
According to city officials, the family was devastated by the news that the 24-year-old Koda was beheaded.
Immediately after the family received the news by telephone from the Foreign Ministry at around 9:20 a.m., Koda's father, Masumi, 54, was devastated and was unable to speak, the officials said.