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| Isis threatens to kill two Japanese hostages unless government pays $200m ransom | Isis threatens to kill two Japanese hostages unless government pays $200m ransom |
| (less than a minute earlier) | |
| Isis appears to have uploaded a video purporting to show two Japanese hostages and demanding $200 million (£132m) from the Japanese government to save their lives. | Isis appears to have uploaded a video purporting to show two Japanese hostages and demanding $200 million (£132m) from the Japanese government to save their lives. |
| A militant dressed all in black appears in the footage wielding a knife and standing behind the two kneeling men, who are wearing orange clothing. | A militant dressed all in black appears in the footage wielding a knife and standing behind the two kneeling men, who are wearing orange clothing. |
| The hostages are identified in the video as Kenji Goto Jogo and Haruna Yukawa. | The hostages are identified in the video as Kenji Goto Jogo and Haruna Yukawa. |
| The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was speaking from Jerusalem, demanded Isis release the two men immediately. | |
| The BBC reports Mr Abe had on Saturday pledged $2.5bn in non-military assistance to the Middle East, with $200m in non-military aid for countries tackling Isis. | |
| Speaking in English and with a British accent, the militant says: "To the prime minister of Japan: Although you are more than 8,000 and 500 kilometers (5,280 miles) from Isis, you willingly have volunteered to take part in this crusade. | Speaking in English and with a British accent, the militant says: "To the prime minister of Japan: Although you are more than 8,000 and 500 kilometers (5,280 miles) from Isis, you willingly have volunteered to take part in this crusade. |
| "You have proudly donated $100m (£66m) to kill our women and children, to destroy the homes of the Muslims." | "You have proudly donated $100m (£66m) to kill our women and children, to destroy the homes of the Muslims." |
| The militant warns the Japanese public had 72 hours to pressure their government to stop its "foolish" support for the US-led coalition waging a military campaign against Islamic State. | The militant warns the Japanese public had 72 hours to pressure their government to stop its "foolish" support for the US-led coalition waging a military campaign against Islamic State. |
| "Otherwise this knife will become your nightmare," the black-clad figure said in English. He demanded "200 million" without specifying a currency, but an Arabic subtitle identified it as US dollars. | "Otherwise this knife will become your nightmare," the black-clad figure said in English. He demanded "200 million" without specifying a currency, but an Arabic subtitle identified it as US dollars. |
| The video, entitled 'A message to the government and people of Japan' has similar elements to those uploaded showing US and UK hostages being threatened by Isis. | The video, entitled 'A message to the government and people of Japan' has similar elements to those uploaded showing US and UK hostages being threatened by Isis. |
| However, this is the first to specifically and openly ask for a ransom. Previous videos preceding the beheading of the British and American hostages had political demands or called for governments to stop bombing Isis targets. | However, this is the first to specifically and openly ask for a ransom. Previous videos preceding the beheading of the British and American hostages had political demands or called for governments to stop bombing Isis targets. |
| Militants had reportedly instead asked for ransom and the release of prisoners held by the US in exchange for photojournalist James Foley in emails to his family. The US and UK have a stated policy of not paying ransom to kidnappers. | Militants had reportedly instead asked for ransom and the release of prisoners held by the US in exchange for photojournalist James Foley in emails to his family. The US and UK have a stated policy of not paying ransom to kidnappers. |
| In Tokyo, a Japan foreign ministry spokesman it would, with other countries, make maximum efforts to free the two Japanese if they were in fact being held hostage, a foreign ministry spokesman said by telephone, but he made no comment on the ransom demand, according to Reuters. | In Tokyo, a Japan foreign ministry spokesman it would, with other countries, make maximum efforts to free the two Japanese if they were in fact being held hostage, a foreign ministry spokesman said by telephone, but he made no comment on the ransom demand, according to Reuters. |
| The foreign ministry said it was checking whether the video is genuine. | The foreign ministry said it was checking whether the video is genuine. |
| Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga declined to say whether Japan would pay the ransom. | Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga declined to say whether Japan would pay the ransom. |
| "If true, the act of threat in exchange of people's lives is unforgivable and we feel strong indignation," Mr Suga was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. "We will make our utmost effort to win their release as soon as possible." | "If true, the act of threat in exchange of people's lives is unforgivable and we feel strong indignation," Mr Suga was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. "We will make our utmost effort to win their release as soon as possible." |