Earlier last week, the first report was made that a Japanese male was kidnapped and in captivity in Iran. Later it was revealed that the abductee is a Japanese university student who was backpacking in southern Iran. The news has reminded many of the previous cases in which Japanese individuals were held hostage in Iraq. These incidents sparked a great deal of controversy. The ex-hostages were criticized for their lack of jikosekinin (自己責任), or self-responsibility, They were also accused of wasting tax payers’ money, and the government billed them for the costs of their flights back home after they were released.
This time again many bloggers harshly criticize the young man's “irresponsible” behaviour and write that this is the outcome that he deserves. Blogger aomanaei echoes this view:
イランで邦人学生が誘拐されました。
なぜ、危険なところに行くのでしょうか?
理解に苦しみます。
危険なことは、わかっていたはず。
なのに、なぜ?
かっこいいから?今しかできないから?ジャーナリストのつもり?
旅をすることは、すばらしいことだと思います。
でも、危険と判ってるところに行かなくても。。。
一人の軽はずみな行動で、国が動かなくてはならない。
だいたい、心配する家族がいることをもっと、考えてほしい。
Why did he go to such a dangerous place?
It is hard understand.
He must have known that it could be dangerous.
But then why?
Because it's cool? Because it's something you can do only now? Did he think he was a journalist?
I think travelling is a wonderful thing to do.
However, you don't have to go a place that you know is dangerous…
The careless behavior of one person forces the government to take action.
I want him to remember that he has a family who is concerned about him.
Another blogger shares a similar thought and writes:
行くな!と言っているのにどうして行くのだろう
そのために総理大臣が会見したりイラン政府と折衝したり
ほんとに大変なんだよね何を考えているんだか、ワ・カ・ン・ナ・イ
[…]
でもなるたけ余計なことで無駄に税金や時間を使いたくないよね
Because of him, the prime minister has to hold a press conference and negotiate with the Iranian government.
It really is so much trouble.
I really do not understand what he was thinking.
[…]
But if possible we don't want to waste our tax money and time on unnecessary things.
masaru-iwai responds to those reactions:
ともかく、マスコミが「イランは危険だ」と言おうが、外務省が「退避勧告/注意勧告」を出そうが行く人は行く。行く人によってモチベーションは違うが、基本的に「そこの現実を見たい」ということだろうと思う。その欲望を遮るだけの理由はなんだろう。国民に迷惑がかかるから?税金のムダ遣いになるから?はぁそうか。国民にどんな迷惑がかかるのだろう?税金のムダ遣いって他にも無いの?他のムダ遣いにも目くじらたててるのかな?良く分かんないや(笑)。