Abe condemns possible IS-held Japanese hostage kill

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday condemned a possible kill of a Japanese hostage held by the Islamic State (IS) militants after a likely video released late Saturday suggested that a Japanese captive, Haruna Yukawa, was killed.

Abe said at a short press briefing immediately after a ministerial meeting on the issue that the kill was "an unforgivable act of violence" and the prime minister demanded the release of Kenji Goto, another Japanese hostage held by the IS.

In the newly released video, Goto's photo was posted and an audio message was attached saying that Yukawa was killed.

Abe said that Japan will continue to work with the international community to fight against terrorism and Tokyo will never give in to terrorism, adding the country is trying every channel in order to secure the release of the hostage.

Meanwhile, Abe also expressed condolence to Yukawa's relatives, indicating that the government considered the video is highly reliable, according to Japan's public broadcaster NHK, while Japan's defense ministry is analyzing the latest video.

The new video came after a clip showed Tuesday by IS militants that demand 200 million U.S. dollars for ransom of the two Japanese hostages within 72 hours. The ransom amount is the same to Japan's support pledged by Abe recently to the Middle East to help counter the threats posted by the IS.

Meanwhile, in the video, the IS militants said they demand the release of a female IS member imprisoned in Jordan, according to local report. The prisoner reportedly launched a suicidal attack in Jordan in 2005 and killed about 50 people.

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