TOKYO — Japan’s prime minister has vowed to save the two Japanese hostages held by the Islamic State group.
An online video released Tuesday purported to show the Islamic State group threatening to kill the two men unless they receive a $200 million ransom in the next 72 hours.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe demanded the Islamic State group ISIS immediately release hostages Kenji Goto Jogo and Haruna Yukawa. He told journalists on Tuesday: “Their lives are the top priority.”
Abe also said: “It is unforgivable and I feel strong resentment.”
This is the first time the Islamic State group has threatened the Japanese. Pay the money or “This knife will become your nightmare,” the masked man reportedly said.
ISIS to Japan: Pay $200 million to save these 2 men or "this knife will become your nightmare". (@zaidbenjamin) pic.twitter.com/wIwi56qfIb
— Breaking News Feed (@pzf) January 20, 2015
#Japan’s government vows not to back down after #ISIS threatens to kill Japanese hostages – http://t.co/WtKhvzDIPc pic.twitter.com/SaEUbbKlpz
— The Voice of America (@VOANews) January 20, 2015
Japan has never paid a ransom for terror groups. Will they now? #ISIS demands $200M for Japanese hostages. @CNN pic.twitter.com/Qo1xzdQafV
— Carol Costello (@CarolC) January 20, 2015
