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Japan Seizes Journalist's Passport Over Travel Fears

In Japan, a journalist has been prevented from traveling to the nation of Syria for his job, because the Japanese government fears for his safety.

For the first time ever, officials in the capital city of Tokyo stopped the man from traveling, by confiscating his passport. A passport is a document that is issued by a government, and allows you to enter a country other than your own by certifying that you are a citizen.

The 58-year-old writer suggested the decision violates his rights, but officials say the recent violence against journalists, and especially against Japanese people left them what they said was no other choice. Unlike in America, Japan's passport law allows for it to be taken away to protect citizens' lives in emergencies.

stephanie.jarvis@ideastream.org | 216-916-6340