Japan condemns kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls

Japan expressed deep concern over the mass kidnapping of schoolgirls in Nigeria by Islamist militant group Boko Haram and firmly condemned all acts of terrorism. "The Japanese government is deeply shocked and enraged by the fact that more than 200 school girls were abducted in Borno State. Their basic human rights have been severely violated by Boko Haram," a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry said Friday. "Any violence committed by Boko Haram against innocent civilians, including bombing on the outskirts of Abuja, cannot be justified on any grounds or for any purpose," the statement said. "The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls are issues on which the international community should work together, and such acts by Boko Haram should never be tolerated," it added. Japan is also deeply concerned over the fact that young women pursuing education have become targets; it demanded the earliest possible release of the school girls who will bear the future of Nigeria. The government renewed its determination to cooperate with the international community to eradicate acts of terrorism in order to ensure peace and stability of the region. According to media reports, Boko Haram abducted the schoolgirls from school dormitories in northeastern Nigeria last month and demanded that the government abolish Western education