VOA慢速英语2015 人质危机可能使日本军事计划发生改变

 

AS IT IS 2015-01-27 Hostage Crisis Could Divide Japan over Military Plan 人质危机可能使日本军事计划发生改变

The Islamic State militant¹ group reportedly executed a hostage from Japan last week. The group is now threatening to kill a second Japanese hostage.

The incidents have shown Japan that its recent diplomatic activity and close friendship with the United States are making it a target for terrorists.

The hostage crisis could likely divide Japanese public opinion over the government’s plan to become more active in international security.

A top Japanese official said Monday that the government is working closely with Jordan to win the release of war reporter Kenji Goto. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said human life remains² the top concern of the government. He also said Japan has not had any direct contact with the Islamic State group.

The militants³ earlier claimed to have executed Haruna Yukawa, a security contract worker. The group had said it would release the two Japanese if Japan made a payment of $200 million. The Islamic State set a 72-hour time limit for the payment. The deadline was January 23.

A new video appeared on the Internet Sunday. The video reportedly includes a voice said to be that of Kenji Goto. The speaker said the militants have dropped their demand for money and will free him in exchange for an Iraqi woman held in Jordan. Sajida al-Rishawi was arrested in 2005 for attempting a suicide bombing in Amman.

The hostage crisis comes at a time when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to play a more active part in world security.

The $200 million payment demand was the same amount of money the Japanese leader promised in non-military aid for refugees in the Middle East. He wanted the aid to go to people displaced by the Islamic State. The group controls large parts of Iraq and Syria.

Mr. Abe is also seeking to amend⁴ Japan’s constitution. He wants the constitution to let the Japanese military protect the country’s citizens and defend its allies.

Koichi Nakano teaches political science at Sophia University in Tokyo. Professor Nakano said the hostage crisis will likely increase divisions among the Japanese public.

“On the one hand, the government would make the argument that this is the reason why we need to be more proactive in taking part in the war on terror. But a large number of the Japanese remain unconvinced that that is actually the case.”

Professor Nakano said that opinion surveys have found Mr. Abe has strong support during the hostage crisis. But he said some Japanese believe the country faces greater risk because of its expanded military and diplomatic activity.

Words in This Story

militant – n., someone active in trying to cause political change, often by the use of force or violence

hostage – n., a person captured and held as a guarantee that a demand or promise will be honored

target – n., any person or object aimed at or fired at

opinion – n., a belief based on one’s own ideas and thinking

1 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

4 amend   

vt.修改，修订，改进；n.[pl.]赔罪，赔偿

参考例句：

• The teacher advised him to amend his way of living.老师劝他改变生活方式。
• You must amend your pronunciation.你必须改正你的发音。