The government has demanded that three Japanese civilians previously held hostage in Iraq pay a combined 2.37 million yen to the state to cover expenses it incurred after their release, an official representing a Foreign Ministry affiliate said Monday.
Of the sum, about 1.98 million yen is to cover one-way tickets for the three from the United Arab Emirates to Japan, along with return tickets for two relatives and a lawyer, the official at the International Hospitality and Conference Service Association said.
On behalf of the ministry, the association conveyed the demand to a nongovernmental organization supporting the three.