Japan still in dark over Iraq hostage

The Japanese government, which has broken post-World War II taboos by sending troops to Iraq, said it remained in the dark about Akihiko Saito, a military veteran who an Al-Qaeda-linked group said it seized wounded in western Iraq.

"This incident once again showed us the reality of Iraq. Even hired 'professionals' cannot protect themselves," the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said in an editorial.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Japan was "trying to confirm the facts quickly including whether Mr. Saito is safe."

"If he were taken hostage, we will make all our efforts to secure his release as soon as possible," Koizumi told parliament.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said the Japanese government was coordinating with the US military and Hart security, a British firm for which Saito worked.

"The Hart company and US military are looking for information about people who died or went missing. As for Mr. Saito's fate, it is still unclear," Hosoda, the government spokesman, told a news conference.