(2)3 released Japanese hostages in Iraq return to hometowns

(2)3 released Japanese hostages in Iraq return to hometowns

SAPPORO, Japan - Noriaki Imai (C), one of the three Japanese civilians released Thursday after being held hostage for more than a week in Iraq, returns to his hometown Sapporo on April, accompanied by his parents Takashi (L) and Naoko.

(6)3 Japanese freed in Iraq arrive in Osaka

(6)3 Japanese freed in Iraq arrive in Osaka

SAPPORO, Japan - Naoko Imai, the mother of high school graduate Noriaki Imai, prepares to head for Tokyo April 18 to meet her son, one of the three Japanese hostages released in Iraq.

(3)Families express thanks for release of kin

(3)Families express thanks for release of kin

SAPPORO, Japan - Naoko Imai, mother of Noriaki Imai, one of three Japanese hostages released in Iraq, is all smiles as she talks with reporters in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on April 16.

(5)3 Japanese hostages released

(5)3 Japanese hostages released

HOKKAIDO, Japan - Naoko Imai (R), the mother of Noriaki Imai, one of the three Japanese released by militant hostage takers in Iraq, rejoices with Ayako Inoue (L), sister of Nahoko Takato, another hostage, at Shin-Chitose airport at the news of the loved ones' release. (Pool Photo)

(7)Militant group takes 3 Japanese captive

(7)Militant group takes 3 Japanese captive

TOKYO, Japan - Naoko Imai (R), whose son Noriaki is one of the three Japanese being held captive in Iraq by a militant group calling itself Saraya al-Mujahideen, and Yosuke Imai, Noriaki's elder brother, arrive at Tokyo's Haneda airport on April 9.

(6)3 Japanese freed in Iraq arrive in Osaka

(6)3 Japanese freed in Iraq arrive in Osaka

SAPPORO, Japan - Naoko Imai, the mother of high school graduate Noriaki Imai, prepares to head for Tokyo April 18 to meet her son, one of the three Japanese hostages released in Iraq. (Kyodo)

(5)3 Japanese hostages released

(5)3 Japanese hostages released

HOKKAIDO, Japan - Naoko Imai (R), the mother of Noriaki Imai, one of the three Japanese released by militant hostage takers in Iraq, rejoices with Ayako Inoue (L), sister of Nahoko Takato, another hostage, at Shin-Chitose airport at the news of the loved ones' release. (Pool Photo)(Kyodo)

(3)Families express thanks for release of kin

(3)Families express thanks for release of kin

SAPPORO, Japan - Naoko Imai, mother of Noriaki Imai, one of three Japanese hostages released in Iraq, is all smiles as she talks with reporters in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on April 16. (Kyodo)

(2)3 released Japanese hostages in Iraq return to hometowns

(2)3 released Japanese hostages in Iraq return to hometowns

SAPPORO, Japan - Noriaki Imai (C), one of the three Japanese civilians released Thursday after being held hostage for more than a week in Iraq, returns to his hometown Sapporo on April, accompanied by his parents Takashi (L) and Naoko. (Kyodo)

(7)Militant group takes 3 Japanese captive

(7)Militant group takes 3 Japanese captive

TOKYO, Japan - Naoko Imai (R), whose son Noriaki is one of the three Japanese being held captive in Iraq by a militant group calling itself Saraya al-Mujahideen, and Yosuke Imai, Noriaki's elder brother, arrive at Tokyo's Haneda airport on April 9. (Kyodo)