"To the Iraqi People,

The following appeal for the release of 24-year old Japanese civilian, Mr. Shosei Koda, who was taking hostage on October 27, has been made by his parents. Shosei Koda is not, and has never been, connected to any kind of military activities whatsoever. Shosei was a student of architecture before leaving Japan earlier this year to learn more about the world. He traveled to the Occupied Territories of Palestine to better understand the hardship and suffering of the Palestinian people."

Appeal for the Release of an Innocent Young Japanese Civilian

Our son, Koda Shosei, is a kind and generous boy with a strong sense of justice. He has neither supported the dispatch of Japanese Self Defense Forces to Iraq nor the policies of the United States' government.

Through the media, Shosei has witnessed the sufferings of the Iraqi people, including that of women and children, and only hoped to further understand their painful experiences. It was in his hopes of finding some way to be of use to the people that he visited your country. We are certain that, through his experiences in your country, if given the chance, he will become an individual devoted to peace-building in Iraq and the world.

Please release our son and thereby give our son Shosei the opportunity to work for the Iraqi people and for world peace.

Please give us the opportunity to once again see our son, and to exchange conversation on the future of Iraq and the world.

We, as parents, are in indescribable despair. We only hope that the pain we feel as parents might also be shared by you. Please release our son, Shosei.

It is our sincere hope that the continued sufferings of the Iraqi people be relieved, and that peace returns to Iraq as soon as possible.

Masumi and Setsuko Koda
October 27, 2004 Japan