Naoko Imai (L), mother of 18-year-old Japanese hostage Noriaki Imai, bites her lips during the family's briefing as she listens to Ayako Inoue (R), sister of Japanese hostage Naoko Takato, with her husband Takashi (C) in Tokyo early April 12, 2004. The fate of three Japanese civilians kidnapped in Iraq remained unclear on Sunday, extending the agony of their families and a crisis for the Tokyo government after earlier reports the hostages would be freed. REUTERS/Kimimasa Mayama KM/DL