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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Japan checking IS 'hostage death' video | Japan checking IS 'hostage death' video |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Japan says it is seeking to verify a video that claims Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa, held by Islamic State (IS) militants, has been killed. | Japan says it is seeking to verify a video that claims Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa, held by Islamic State (IS) militants, has been killed. |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe denounced the video as "absurd and unforgivable", following an emergency cabinet meeting. | |
| Mr Abe said Japan "will not give in to terrorism". | |
| On Tuesday the group threatened to kill Mr Yukawa and fellow Japanese hostage Kenji Goto unless Japan paid $200m (£130m) within 72 hours. | On Tuesday the group threatened to kill Mr Yukawa and fellow Japanese hostage Kenji Goto unless Japan paid $200m (£130m) within 72 hours. |
| The video purports to show Mr Goto holding a picture of what appears to be the body of Mr Yukawa, and issuing a new demand from IS in return for his own release. | The video purports to show Mr Goto holding a picture of what appears to be the body of Mr Yukawa, and issuing a new demand from IS in return for his own release. |
| 'Unforgivable act' | |
| Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said the video image "showing a killed Japanese person" was "an abominable and unforgivable act of violence". | |
| "We strongly condemn this action," he said. | |
| "We strongly request that no harm be done to the remaining person, Kenji Goto, and that he be released immediately." | |
| Kenji Goto is a well-known freelance journalist and documentary film-maker. Mr Yukawa had reportedly gone to Syria to set up a private military contracting company. | |
| In a video released on Tuesday, a masked man was shown standing over kneeling hostages named as Mr Yukawa and Mr Goto and demanding the ransom. | |
| The ransom is the same amount as that pledged in non-military aid for countries fighting IS by Prime Minister Abe during a recent tour of the Middle East. | |
| Who are Islamic State (IS)? |