Mike wrote:
"I can't understand how any country can stand by and allow 3 men to be torched to death!"

The problem is that if Japan (or any other country) bows to these terrorists and pulls their troops out of Iraq, then they have just allowed terrorists to dictate what their policy is going to be and it will happen again and again.

It is very tough but there is only one good course of action to take in a situation like this. That is stand your ground and show them that taking hostages isn't going to get them what they want so they will be discouraged from doing it in the future.

It is an unfortunate set of circumstances but there is no other good way to play it.

Cheers!
Bill