The Japanese embassy hostage crisis (Spanish: Toma de la residencia del embajador de Japón en Lima, Japanese: 在ペルー日本大使公邸占拠事件, romanized: Zai Perū Nihon taishi kōtei senkyo jiken) began on 17 December 1996, when hundreds of high-level diplomats, government, and military officials and business executives, were taken hostage at the Japanese ambassador's residence in San Isidro District, Lima, Peru. The incident occurred after 14 members of the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) blasted a hole through one of the residence's less-defended walls, interrupting a celebration of Emperor Akihito's 63rd birthday. Although the crisis took place at the ambassadorial residence rather than at the chancery, it is often referred to as the "Japanese embassy" hostage crisis .
Foreign female hostages were released during the first night and most foreigners were let go after five days of constant death threats. After being held hostage for 126 days, the remaining 72 dignitaries, which included then Japanese ambassador Morihisa Aoki, were freed on 22 April 1997, in a raid by Peruvian Armed Forces commandos, during which one hostage, two commandos, and all the MRTA militants were killed.
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