Despite a peaceful ending of the week-long hostage crisis, the Japanese government is still much concerned about the possibility of more Japanese taken hostage in Iraq, urging its citizens to follow advice not to go to Iraq.

After the release of two Japanese hostages on Saturday, Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi reiterated that those who intent to enter Iraq should be responsible for their own safety.

The Foreign Ministry said the government has issued more than a dozen of warnings against traveling to Iraq since the beginning of this year. About 50 non-military Japanese are currently in Iraq, according to the ministry.

Some lawmakers proposed that a new legislation should be passed to prevent Japanese citizens from going to certain countries and regions without authorization.

Citing the constitution clauses, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi rejected the proposal Saturday.

"No matter what good intention you are holding when going to Iraq, you will cause many people a great deal of trouble if you are taken hostage," the Yomiuri Shimbun quoted the premier as saying in a radio address.

Immediately after being released by Iraqi militants on Thursday, the three hostages expressed the intention to continue their work in Iraq. However, family members of the three told Japanese media in Dubai on Friday that they will not return to Iraq until the situation there becomes safe. The other two released Saturday also reportedly wanted to remain in Iraq.

The former hostages are freelance journalists and humanitarian aid volunteers. Unidentified Iraqi militants who abducted the five Japanese demanded the Japanese government withdraw its Self-Defense Forces out of Iraq in exchange for their release.

Koizumi has been staunchly supporting US invasion and occupation of Iraq, and he refused to pull out the 500-strong troops based in southern Iraq.

Opposition parties contend that Koizumi should be held responsible for possible casualties incurred, no matter troops or civilians.

A survey published by the Mainichi Shimbun on Monday showed a divided opinion on Japan's military presence in Iraq. The approval rating stood at 47 percent, down three percentage points from the previous survey in March, while the disapproval rating rose three points to 46 percent.