Anxious wait for release of Japanese hostages

Japan waited anxiously today for the release of three civilians taken hostage in Iraq as the government struggled to determine whether the gunmen holding them planned to set them free.

Japanese authorities said they received information that the two aid workers and one photojournalist would be freed today – as early as noon Japan time (4am Irish time) – three days after their kidnappers threatened to kill them unless Japan withdrew its troops from Iraq.