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April 27, 2024
 

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U S HOSTAGE

Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 26, 2015
'Jihadi John' of Islamic State execution videos named as Mohammed Emwazi
The "Jihadi John" killer who has featured in several Islamic State beheading videos is Mohammed Emwazi, a Briton from a middle class family who grew up in London and graduated from college with a degree in computer programming, the Washington Post newspaper said.In videos released by Islamic State (IS), the masked, black-clad militant brandishing a knife and speaking with an English accent appears to have carried out the beheadings of hostages including Americans and Britons.The Washington Post said Emwazi was believed to have travelled to Syria around 2012 and to have later joined IS."His real name, according to friends and others familiar with his case, is Mohammed Emwazi, a Briton from a well-to-do family who grew up in West London and graduated from college with a degree in computer programming," the Post said.In each beheading video, he is dressed entirely in black, a balaclava covering all but his eyes and the ridge of his nose. He wears a holster under his left arm.Hostages gave him the name John as he and other Britons had been nicknamed the Beatles, another was dubbed George.The paper said he had been born in Kuwait, was raised in a middle-class neighborhood in London and occasionally prayed at a mosque in Greenwich, southeast London.Police declined to comment on the reports."We are not going to confirm the identity of anyone at this stage or give an update on the progress of this live counter- terrorism investigation," said Commander Richard Walton of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command in a statement.The Post quoted friends of Emwazi, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as saying they thought he had started to become radicalized after a planned safari in Tanzania following his graduation from the University of Westminster in London.They said Emwazi and two friends — a German convert to Islam named Omar and another man, Abu Talib — never made it to the safari. On landing in Dar es Salaam, in May 2009, they were detained by police and held overnight before eventually being deported, they said.No comment was immediately available from the University of Westminster.The Post said counterterrorism officials in Britain detained Emwazi in 2010, fingerprinting him and searching his belongings
JAPAN
Feb 25, 2015
Kumamoto school criticized for showing program detailing Islamic State executions
The Kumamoto board of education has criticized a high school in the city for poor judgment after it showed pupils a graphic television program about the Islamic State group.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media
Feb 25, 2015
Under Abe's reign, media self-censorship in Japan is rising
Worries are growing in Japan about a trend toward media self-censorship as journalists and experts say news organizations are toning down criticism of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government for fear of sparking ire and losing access to sources.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 23, 2015
Mosques in Japan harassed in wake of hostage crisis
At least six mosques and a Muslim organization in Japan have received threats since the hostage crisis that saw two Japanese men killed by the Islamic State militant group.
JAPAN
Feb 23, 2015
Japan to set up consular office in northern Iraq
The Abe administration is preparing to establish a consulate in northern Iraq in a bid to improve the government's ability to protect Japanese nationals and counter terrorism through enhanced information gathering.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 22, 2015
Qatar tried to help free Japanese hostages
Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah said Saturday during a visit to Japan that Qatar's government tried to mediate the release of Japanese hostages before they were killed by the Islamic State group.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 20, 2015
Nations agree at U.S. summit on extremism to enhance info-sharing
The United States wraps up talks with some 60 other countries on how to counter the Islamic State group and other violent groups, stressing the need for enhanced information-sharing to stem the spread of extremism, especially among the young.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 16, 2015
Artwork by Kenji Goto on display at Tokyo gallery
Journalist Kenji Goto's efforts to aid people living in conflict zones may have gone widely unnoticed if his kidnapping and beheading by the Islamic State militant group had not caused outrage worldwide last month.
Japan Times
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 16, 2015
Japanese deaths stir debate on hostage rescue capabilities
Following the gruesome executions of two Japanese by the Islamic State group, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seems more eager than ever for legal authority to deploy Self-Defense Forces elements overseas, saying it is the government's duty to rescue its citizens.
JAPAN
Feb 14, 2015
Missing Japanese was told not to visit Islamic State areas in Syria
A Japanese woman who is missing in Syria with her French husband had been urged by the Foreign Ministry not to visit areas controlled by Islamic State jihadis.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 13, 2015
Red Cross chief warns freelancers against travel to Syria
The International Committee of the Red Cross warns freelance journalists against venturing into parts of Syria and Iraq held by the Islamic State group.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 12, 2015
Red Cross chief offers Abe way to help war victims without taking sides
As Japan grapples with the dilemma of how to aid victims of conflict without appearing to take sides, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross has said his group represents a good way to insulate donor nations from risk.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 12, 2015
Syria-bound photographer fears passport confiscation sets dangerous precedent
A freelance photographer who was prevented from going to Syria when the Foreign Ministry confiscated his passport in the wake of the Islamic State hostage crisis this month expressed concern Thursday his case will set a precedent that will undermine freedom of the press in Japan.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 12, 2015
Aid group offers Abe way to help war victims without ruffling feathers
As Japan grapples with the dilemma of how to aid victims of conflict without appearing to take sides, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross has said his group represents a good way to insulate donor nations from risk.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Voices / FOREIGN AGENDA
Feb 11, 2015
A search for meaning in the arc of Goto’s life and the horror of his death
The frenzy of the hostage crisis and the visceral terror of the Islamic State group's executions have for a moment ushered Syria into Japanese youth's sphere of concern.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 11, 2015
Mueller was among hostages sought in failed rescue, says Obama
Kayla Jean Mueller, the U.S. aid worker whose death as a captive of Islamic State extremists was confirmed Tuesday, was among the hostages sought in a failed U.S. rescue attempt last year, President Barack Obama said.
Japan Times
WORLD
Feb 11, 2015
Parents of slain Islamic State hostage confirm U.S. woman's death
U.S. aid worker Kayla Mueller, held hostage by Islamic State militants for 18 months, is dead, her family said on Tuesday, but the circumstances were unclear and President Barack Obama vowed to hunt down the culprits.
WORLD
Feb 11, 2015
At least one other American being held hostage in Middle East: White House
At least one other American is being held hostage in the Middle East, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters on Tuesday following confirmation of the death of U.S. aid worker Kayla Mueller.
JAPAN
Feb 10, 2015
Thousands sign petition for free speech amid climate of self-censorship
Journalists, academics, authors, filmmakers, musicians and members of the public put their names on an online petition supporting freedom of expression amid concern about self-censorship by media, lawmakers and society over the recent hostage crisis and the government's handling of it.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 10, 2015
Japanese diplomat pledges humanitarian aid during visit to Iraq
A vice foreign minister has thanked Iraqi officials in Baghdad for supporting Japan in the recent hostage crisis and pledged to uphold promised humanitarian assistance, the Foreign Ministry said.
New JAL chief concerned about yen’s ‘excessive’ weakness
Mitsuko Tottori became Japan Airlines’ first female CEO on April 1, having risen through the ranks as a flight attendant and heading the flight attendant and customer experience divisions.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Yen inches closer to intervention point as BOJ meeting starts
The rate of the yen against the U.S. dollar is displayed in the trading room at foreign exchange brokerage Gaitame.com in Tokyo on Thursday.
Princess Aiko makes debut at imperial garden party
Princess Aiko attends an imperial garden party in Tokyo on Tuesday.
'So hot you can't breathe': Extreme heat hits the Philippines
A pedestrian cools himself with a folding hand fan as he waits for a ride along a road in Manila on Wednesday, as extreme heat hit the Philippines.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Tokyo's Koto Ward by-election a race unlike any other
Natsumi Sakai, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan’s candidate and one of four female candidates running in the by-election, touts her experience as a cancer survivor and midwife as having prepared her to tackle issues that women currently face.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.
Top U.S. and China diplomats talk tough amid warnings of new ‘downward spiral’
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday
Kyotographie's strong 12th edition shines light into the margins
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili, who goes by Yoriyas, turned to photography, shooting motion while in motion himself, after an injury forced him to give up his career as a professional breakdancer.

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