Akihiko Saito

Akihiko Saito (斎藤昭彦, Saitō Akihiko, born January 5, 1961 in Tōkyō, Japan – captured May 8, 2005, died May 9, 2005 in Iraq) was a Japanese security specialist adviser who was taken hostage by the Jaish Ansar al-Sunna in Iraq in 2005.

His abduction and death brought curiosity and bewilderment to the Japanese public since it was not known to them that he has been in Iraq as a security contractor, being a trained soldier with combat experience.

Early life

Prior to entering the French Foreign Legion, Akihiko served in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in the 1st Airborne Brigade in 1979 before he left in 1981. Akihiko was subsequently recruited into the ranks of the Legion on June 1983.

He then served in the French Foreign Legion for 20 years with the rank of Chief Adjutant (French: Adjudant-Chef) before his departure. Saito was notably deployed with the French Foreign Legion's 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment, where he served in numerous combat operations in Africa. During his time with the Legion, he was based at Marseille.