The reports of executions appeared among Japanese hostages who returned home as well as among those in Peru.

On Thursday, three Japanese hostages were released.

Then I still think we can stop the ship without blowing it up or killing a bunch of Japanese hostages.

He knew he had little chance of getting the Japanese hostages off the ship.

Nearly 300 Italians are believed to be held by the Iraqis among some 2,000 Western and Japanese hostages.

The Japanese hostage was identified by his government as Shosei Koda.

The resolution also, by reaffirming a previous resolution, calls on Iraq to free more than 2,000 Western and Japanese hostages.

The 24 Japanese hostages included President Fujimori's own mother and younger brother.

Outside observers have voiced suspicions that Japan feared any action to offer him asylum could worsen the situation of the Japanese hostages.

About three dozen Japanese hostages also flew out on a chartered Iraqi plane.