Deadline looms as Japan considers ‘all possible ways’ to free Islamic State hostages
Tokyo discounts no method in seeking release before Friday deadline of Japanese hostages held by jihadist militants on demand of US$200 million ransom
Japan said on Thursday it was considering any and all possible ways to seek the release of two citizens held hostage by Islamic State.
The jihadist group, in a video message, said it would kill the hostages within 72 hours unless it receives US$200 million. Based on the video’s release time, that deadline would arrive on Friday.
Time is very short and we are very worried.
Government spokesman and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday Japan was trying any and all ways to reach those holding the hostages, but had not received any message from IS since the release of the video.
Ko Nakata, an expert on Islamic law and former professor at Kyoto’s Doshisha University, told reporters he was able to reach the Islamic State.
“I myself am willing to go to negotiate,” Nakata said.
Asked if Japan would consider that offer, Suga said Tokyo was “prepared to consider all possible ways to save the two hostages,” – 47-year-old freelance journalist Kenji Goto and 42-year-old Haruna Yukawa, the founder of a private security company.