A room in the Hokkaido Prefectural Government office in Tokyo erupted in cheers at 9:03 p.m. Thursday as relatives of the three hostages watched a TV news report detailing the release of their loved ones.

"They were full of shouts, emotion and tears," said Naoya Ohira, who has spent week since the start of the hostage crisis with the families, acting as an coordinator. "It was really a great moment."

During a news conference held soon after the release of the three captives was reported, the relatives repeatedly expressed gratitude to their supporters, the government, media and people of Iraq.

"I really thank all the people for having respected human life," said Shucihi Takato, brother of one of the hostages, 34-year-old aid worker Nahoko Takato. "I will make her apologize for having caused so much trouble."

"I also want to say thank you to the people of Iraq for having saved my son's life despite their hardship," said Takashi Imai, father of hostage Noriaki Imai, 18, a volunteer worker and freelance journalist.

Toru Miura, cousin of the other captive, Soichiro Koriyama, a 32-year-old freelance journalist, said "I'd like to give him both hugs and blows" for causing anxiety.

The family members said they now understand that the "government had put all its energy" into its efforts to rescue the hostages.

The relatives said they had criticized the government because they could not stay calm when faced with reports that their family members were in grave danger.