According to published reports in Japan, a Japanese citizen has been taken hostage in Western Iraq. The Kyodo News agency of Japan states that the Ansar al-Sunnah Army has claimed responsibility for the capture of Akihiko Saito, 44, on a posting on its website.

A photograph of Saito's passport was posted on the terrorist group's site and they also indicated that Saito was 'seriously injured.'

The Japanese government has yet to verify the accuracy of the report although Foreign Minister
Nobutaka Machimura said a Japanese national working as a security agent for a foreign firm had been kidnapped in Iraq.

The website posting claims, 'He (the hostage) has serious injuries and we will soon issue a video showing him.' It also said Saito was captured during an ambush of 12 Iraqi government workers. 'The mujahideen captured them and killed them immediately with the exception of one and he is Japanese.'

There is no word as to what demands, if any, the group will make for Saito's release or if they will give him proper medical care for his alleged injuries.