The government on Tuesday effectively imposed a media gag on staffers working at its headquarters dealing with the Iraq hostage crisis.
The staffers were reportedly told to keep quiet following leaks of unconfirmed -- and apparently unfounded -- information pertaining to the fate of the three civilian hostages.
"I think leaks of fragmentary information can cause confusion," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told a regular news conference. "It is a matter concerning the safety and lives of the hostages. Half-baked explanations only do harm."
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