The 3 Japanese hostages caught in Iraq have been asked by the Japanese government to pay for the costs of getting them out. Big debate in Japan about whether it is the responsibility of the government to save its citizens (and bear the costs) or not.
Personally, I agree mostly with Yuki. No-one forced them to go there, they knew the risks, if they had been killed, they would have had some responsibility themselves. Therefore, any costs incurred by the government in getting them out should be paid by the hostage victims. I have no problem with that. I am also pretty sure that they will be able to get decent sums for selling their stories to newspapers, publishers etc, so I don't think they will starve.
In fact, it seems clearer to me than the custom here of the families of suicide victims paying the train companies for cleanup costs.
Click for Japan Times story.
Posted by Gary at April 27, 2004 12:49 PMWell if that is the case we could use the same theory for saving people domesticly.
"No one told you to smoke in bed, that is what started the fire", "No one told you to drive your car, that is what got you in an accident". "Who told you to surf in the taifoon"
What about embassy personnel and their families, sure the embassy employee needs to be their because that is where their government sent them but no made them bring their families along, will they be covered or is it a seniority perk of the job, over 10 years of service includes rescue if needed, which can be traded in for reward miles when you retire if you don't use it.
Where would the line be? What would the costs be, do you have a choice of a coach and first class rescue. WHat if you did not like the meal. Do you still have to pay that portion.
From what I can see on the news the girl was trying to do some good. So if you punish her you are sending a message that says;
"People of Japan isolationism worked for us pretty good so you should not try to help your fellow man/woman."
Which is what the international community complains about Japan the most, they keep to themselves on international crisis.
The two guys, from what I understand, were trying to make the quick road to journalistic fame by surviving in a combat zone.
Being Japan, what if they were famous or children of famous people, no one would be complaining then.
I have heard that in the mountain areas of the US inexperienced hikers will often go out with their mobile phones in hand and call in a rescue if they need one. These people allegedly receive bills but I have no proof to back that up.
Considering all of the money the GAIMUSHO wastes or spends on SETTAI, After all of the money you pay in taxes I think we all deserve a rescue.
Posted by: Paul at April 28, 2004 12:40 PMBefore I read the article I was a little confused... I thought "How much did Japan spend to rescue them?" They didn'T use the SDF for sure. Did they pay a ransom?
Actually, they are only charging them for their plane tickets home. I think that is quite fair. Like Paul says though, making it sound like they are charging them for a "rescue" sends a message to everyone else. Stay home, play nintendo, don't try to make a difference. If you do it will cost you more than you thought.
I can't help but think what you would be saying if something hapened to you here and you needed a little help from the UK Embassy. Would you want to be charged? For that matter, what if something happened to you while you were in the UK... say you are in a bank and bank robbers hold everyone hostage... should the hostages all pay for the police to come? Or maybe the bank should pay... after all, if you have a bank you assume the risk of getting robbed. If you go on the street, you assume the risk of being mugged.
I know they are different, but where does the line get drawn?
who's yuki? you need a link!
i'm glad that at least one foreigner think that way.
Posted by: Yuki at May 5, 2004 06:41 PM