Japan gov't eager to tout hostage release with eye to elections

The Japanese government and ruling parties appear to be holding off on criticism of a freelance journalist who returned to Tokyo on Thursday after spending 40 months in captivity in war-torn Syria, in stark contrast with similar incidents in the past.When citizens, particularly journalists, have been taken captive in conflict zones in the past, criticism that they failed to take "personal responsibility" for their actions has been a standard ruling party talking point.The different stance the government and the ruling bloc have taken in the wake of the release of Jumpei Yasuda has fueled sp…READ FULL ARTICLE