Japan's top government spokesman on Monday defended its decision to confiscate the passport of a freelance photographer who had planned to travel to Syria, part of which is under the control of Islamic State militants, Kyodo news agency reported.
The government has a responsibility to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens traveling abroad, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference.
"Two Japanese were detained and killed by ISIL only recently, and ISIL has also warned it will try to kill more Japanese," using the acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
"We understand that the freedom of reporting, news gathering and travel should be respected as much as possible, but at the same time the government has the extremely important duty of ensuring the safety of Japanese citizens who travel or live abroad," Suga said.