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Video on a militant Islamic website Tuesday showed what it said was a Japanese man kidnapped by al-Qaeda, and threatened to behead him within 48 hours unless Japan pulls its troops from Iraq, Kyodo News Service reported Wednesday.
The man, who appeared in a white T-shirt, was identified only as someone connected to the Japanese forces, according to Kyodo. He spoke briefly in English and Japanese before one of three masked militants standing behind him read a statement.
"Mr. Koizumi, they are calling for the withdrawal of the Self Defense Forces troops from Iraq or they will cut off my head. I am sorry. I want to return to Japan again," the man in the video said in Japanese.
"We grant the Japanese government 48 hours to withdraw its troops from Iraq or this infidel will meet the same fate as Berg and the other infidels," the al-Qaeda organization of Holy War in Iraq was quoted.
In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi ordered the Foreign Ministry and other relevant offices to swiftly gather information to confirm whether the reported abduction of a Japanese man is true.
The premier said Japan will not pull its troops out of Iraq following the media reports on the kidnap.
"The Self Defense Forces will not withdraw from Iraq," Koizumi was quoted as telling Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda.
(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2004)
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