Japan Says: Hostages, You Suck

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Maverikk

Diabloii.Net Member
Japan Says: Hostages, You Suck

Well, hopefully I'm in the clear to make this thread without fear of repetition. Here's the news bomb:

TOKYO, April 22 — The young Japanese civilians taken hostage in Iraq returned home this week, not to the warmth of a yellow-ribbon embrace but to a disapproving nation's cold stare.

Three of them, including a woman who helped street children on the streets of Baghdad, appeared on television two weeks ago as their knife-brandishing kidnappers threatened to slit their throats. A few days after their release, they landed here on Sunday, in the eye of a peculiarly Japanese storm.

"You got what you deserve!" read one hand-written sign at the airport where they landed. "You are Japan's shame," another wrote on the Web site of one of the former hostages. They had "caused trouble" for everybody. The government, not to be outdone, announced it would bill the former hostages $6,000 for air fare.

Beneath the surface of Japan's ultra-sophisticated cities lie the hierarchical ties that have governed this island nation for centuries and that, at moments of crises, invariably reassert themselves. The former hostages' transgression was to ignore a government advisory against traveling to Iraq. But their sin, in a vertical society that likes to think of itself as classless, was to defy what people call here "okami," or, literally, "what is higher."
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Rest of the story here.

I'm sorry that I had to quote AOL news, but it's the only news site that I found with the story currently. Well, the only news site where I didn't have to hunt for it with a spear and stone.
 
Stevinator

Stevinator

Diabloii.Net Member
that's terrible...but expected behavior for the japanese.....they do some things so right and some things so wrong.

In the japanese defense though...a lot of people in america would've thought something similar had we been int eh same situation. when you go somewhere the government has made clear is very dangerous and then something like this happens, it is hard to feel for you. but americans don't say that to your face...and we mt lkikely wouldn't charge for the return airfare.
 
jmervyn

jmervyn

Diabloii.Net Member
Wow. Gogo bushido! I suppose these poor shleps were supposed to commit hara-kiri, or something? Disgrace in capture & all that?
 
Stevinator

Stevinator

Diabloii.Net Member
kittenslayer said:
if they were americans they would have their own book, a movie, and talk show appearances by now.
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so very true.

BTW nice name, we could use some kittenslayers around here.
 
Anakha1

Anakha1

Banned
That's the problem with collectivistic societies...

As pointed out, what were they supposed to do? Kill themselves? This is pretty shameful on Japan's part.
 
M

maccool

Diabloii.Net Member
I dunno, Anakha. I mean their government told them not to go there, right? They did. Like you said, it's a freaky Borgesque society (it's not, but there is the sense that one should follow the rules and trust The Man).

I mean, in the U.S. we had idiots that went to Iraq to be used as human shields - PS: dumbest idea ever! - when they came home it was a :sleep:. I guess it's just the way the two cultures deal with their government.

Japan - listens to and respects
U.S. - ignores and does whatever

Not saying that one is better than the other, but dammit, if I can't complain about my government, I needs a revolution. That is to say, up the revolution!
 
S

Suicidal Zebra

Diabloii.Net Member
Hmmm, I don't know. I mean, what should Japan say and do? These people were pretty darn stupid to be there in the first place, against government advise I hasten to add, and then they have the bad manners to be captured?

Should they be saying 'Yay, you are back, and now our national IQ has dropped 2 points. Goodie for us' when these people come home? Do the hostages expect cuddles and bunnies for putting the nation in a delicate position diplomatically?

Personally, I say throw them in clink somewhere offshore for giving potential aid to the enemy, and then forget about them. That, or have them perform ritual suicide live to allievate some of the national shame.

Just my $0.02
 
Anakha1

Anakha1

Banned
maccool said:
I dunno, Anakha. I mean their government told them not to go there, right? They did. Like you said, it's a freaky Borgesque society (it's not, but there is the sense that one should follow the rules and trust The Man).

I mean, in the U.S. we had idiots that went to Iraq to be used as human shields - PS: dumbest idea ever! - when they came home it was a :sleep:. I guess it's just the way the two cultures deal with their government.

Japan - listens to and respects
U.S. - ignores and does whatever

Not saying that one is better than the other, but dammit, if I can't complain about my government, I needs a revolution. That is to say, up the revolution!
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But telling them they got what they deserved? That's a bit harsh. They didn't go to assist the opposition Iraqi forces like the human shields.
 
K

Kore

Diabloii.Net Member
swami said:
Whoa WTF, I guess the resistance won't bother capturing any more Japanese :lol:
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Terrorist: "We have captured some more of you citizens!"
Japanese gov't: "Oh. Could you please keep these ones, the last ones still haven't paid back their airfare and we just don't want to pay out another one till the previous bill is paid."
 
M

Mecal

Diabloii.Net Member
Stevinator said:
so very true.

BTW nice name, we could use some kittenslayers around here.
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what do you mean? worst.name.ever.
kittens pwnz0r.

anyways, although its understandable, doesnt Japan have this high-honor system, thing? so when you are a 'disgrace' then of course you are not gonna be welcomed.
 
M

maccool

Diabloii.Net Member
Anakha1 said:
But telling them they got what they deserved? That's a bit harsh. They didn't go to assist the opposition Iraqi forces like the human shields.
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Indeed. But the Japanese government didn't make the hand painted signs telling these cats they got what they deserved either did they?

Again, it's a matter of cultures...and I don't mean yogurt.
 
D

Damascus

Diabloii.Net Member
They should have had a parade for these people who were too dumb to pay attention to their government. They got exactly what they deserve.
 
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