THE families of three Japanese nationals kidnapped in Iraq and threatened with execution, tearfully begged the government to pull its troops out of the country as Tokyo reiterated there would be no withdrawal.

BLACK-GARBED captors with guns, knives and swords threatened to burn alive three blindfolded Japanese hostages unless Tokyo removed its troops from Iraq, according to a videotape seen on Arab TV.

Three Japanese have been taken hostage by Iraqi rebels who have threatened to kill them if Tokyo does not withdraw its troops from the country.