http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040527_1899.html
TOKYO May 27, 2004 — Gunmen attacked a car carrying two Japanese men, their interpreter and driver in Iraq, Japan’s top government spokesman said Friday.
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Kyodo News agency reported the car burst into flames after the attack. The driver of the car was injured, it added.
The Japanese were freelance journalists returning to Baghdad from the southern city of Samawah, the report said.
Foreign Ministry officials were immediately unavailable for comment early Friday.