[AmericanInTokyo]

Government speaking here. Japanese public not widely in favor of SDF troops over there.

And this statement is possible is because the J hostages are still alive and there has been no brutal footage (yet, thank goodness) of burned, lynched or mutilated bodies.

If they are killed, it will bring a big PR backlash to Koizumi in Japan.

[show me state]

Japanese public not widely in favor of SDF troops over there.

In your opinion, were the Japanese hostages selected as opposed to just being in the wrong place at the wrong time?