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Japan PM Abe condemns hostage 'death' video | Japan PM Abe condemns hostage 'death' video |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Japan's prime minister has condemned as "outrageous and unacceptable" a video declaring the murder of Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa by Islamic State. | Japan's prime minister has condemned as "outrageous and unacceptable" a video declaring the murder of Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa by Islamic State. |
Shinzo Abe demanded the release of a second hostage, purported to be Kenji Goto, shown in the video. Japan says it is trying to verify the footage. | Shinzo Abe demanded the release of a second hostage, purported to be Kenji Goto, shown in the video. Japan says it is trying to verify the footage. |
On Tuesday, Islamic State (IS) said it would kill the two men unless Japan paid $200m (£130m) within 72 hours. | |
But IS now appears to be demanding an exchange of captives instead. | |
Mr Goto appears to say IS would swap him for Sajida al-Rishawi - an Iraqi militant held in Jordan. | |
After the latest tape, Mr Abe said Japan would not bow to terrorism. | |
"This act of terrorism is an outrageous and unacceptable act of violence," he said. | "This act of terrorism is an outrageous and unacceptable act of violence," he said. |
"I again strongly demand the immediate release of Mr Kenji Goto unharmed." | "I again strongly demand the immediate release of Mr Kenji Goto unharmed." |
In a statement, President Barack Obama said the US "strongly condemns the brutal murder of Japanese citizen Haruna Yukawa by the terrorist group ISIL [or IS]". | In a statement, President Barack Obama said the US "strongly condemns the brutal murder of Japanese citizen Haruna Yukawa by the terrorist group ISIL [or IS]". |
Mr Obama said the US would stand "shoulder to shoulder'' with Japan. | Mr Obama said the US would stand "shoulder to shoulder'' with Japan. |
'Abominable and unforgivable' | 'Abominable and unforgivable' |
The video apparently shows Mr Goto holding a picture of what appears to be the body of Mr Yukawa. | |
US National Security Council official Patrick Ventrell said the US was also trying to establish the authenticity of the video and was closely co-ordinating with Japan. | US National Security Council official Patrick Ventrell said the US was also trying to establish the authenticity of the video and was closely co-ordinating with Japan. |
Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said the video image "showing a killed Japanese person" was "an abominable and unforgivable act of violence". | Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said the video image "showing a killed Japanese person" was "an abominable and unforgivable act of violence". |
There is some uncertainty over whether the video released on Saturday actually comes from Islamic State. | There is some uncertainty over whether the video released on Saturday actually comes from Islamic State. |
Unlike similar previous videos, the latest recording does not carry the logo of any IS media arms, and consists of an audio message with a still image. Other official videos have shown moving footage. | Unlike similar previous videos, the latest recording does not carry the logo of any IS media arms, and consists of an audio message with a still image. Other official videos have shown moving footage. |
Haruna Yukawa, 42, was seized by militants in August after going to Syria to set up a private military contracting company, according to reports. | Haruna Yukawa, 42, was seized by militants in August after going to Syria to set up a private military contracting company, according to reports. |
Kenji Goto, 47, is a well-known freelance journalist and documentary film-maker who went to Syria in October, reportedly to try to get Mr Yukawa released. | Kenji Goto, 47, is a well-known freelance journalist and documentary film-maker who went to Syria in October, reportedly to try to get Mr Yukawa released. |
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. | 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 previously announced 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)? | Who are Islamic State (IS)? |