Japan seeks clues to fate of Iraq captive

[Miss Chybil]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050512/ts_nm/iraq_japan_dc

1 hour, 15 minutes ago

TOKYO (Reuters) - The fate of a Japanese man missing in Iraq is still unknown, officials in Tokyo said on Thursday, two days after a militant group claimed to have captured him, but his employer said he may have died of injuries.

Akihiko Saito, 44, a former paratrooper and veteran of the French Foreign Legion, has been missing in Iraq since a convoy he was traveling in was attacked in the town of Hit on May 8.

Teams of officials were working round the clock to gather information, Japan's top government spokesman said on Thursday.

"It is still unclear what has happened to Mr Saito, including whether or not he was kidnapped," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told reporters.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050512/ts_nm/iraq_japan_dc