Japanese National Taken Hostage in Iraq
(Meeting between Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukio Takeuchi and Ambassador to Japan Ghanim Al-Jumaily of Iraq)

October 27, 2004

Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yukio Takeuchi requested a visit by Ambassador to Japan Ghanim Al-Jumaily of the Republic of Iraq and from 4:30 pm held a meeting with him concerning the hostage situation in Iraq. The summary of the meeting is as follows. In addition, a separate press release was delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that evening from the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Japan.

1. Vice-Minister Takeuchi requested the cooperation of the Iraqi Interim Government for the release of the hostage and stated, "I have received instructions from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to thoroughly investigate this incident and to exert utmost efforts for the return of the hostage. The Government of Japan appreciates the assistance the sovereign state of Iraq has provided in the effort to resolve this situation as well as the press release issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Japan."
   
   
2. In response, Ambassador Al-Jumaily said, "I highly value the instructions given by Prime Minister Koizumi. I have already contacted our government. The Government of Iraq will do everything in its power to resolve this situation."
   
   
3. Vice-Minister Takeuchi and Ambassador Al-Jumaily agreed to keep in close contact on this matter.