LIMA - The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Yukihiko Ikeda, arrived in Lima yesterday to congratulate President Alberto Fujimori and hear first hand how Peru's military ended the 18 week hostage crisis. Mr Ikeda travelled with family members of the two dozen Japanese diplomats and businessmen who were among the 71 hostages rescued from the house of the Japanese ambassador on Tuesday. He also attended the funeral of Peru's Supreme Court justice, Carlos Giusti, the only hostage to die.
In Tokyo, the Prime Minister, Mr Ryutaro Hashimoto, said he planned to visit Peru shortly to add his thanks.