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Japanese Gov't Vows to Make Every Effort to Release Two IS Hostages

© YouTube screenshotThe Islamic State allegedly targeted Japanese nationals for Japan's involvement in the international campaign aimed at destroying the militant group
The Islamic State allegedly targeted Japanese nationals for Japan's involvement in the international campaign aimed at destroying the militant group - Sputnik International
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Japan will make maximum efforts to release the Islamic State's hostages and will continue to contribute to the fight against terrorism with the international community, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holds a news conference in Jerusalem January 20, 2015. - Sputnik International
Abe Pledges to Save Japanese Hostages Held by IS, Continue Anti-IS Campaign
TOKYO, January 20 (Sputnik) — The Japanese government will make every effort to release two hostages that Islamic State militants have threatened to kill, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary said Tuesday.

"If this information [on hostages] is true, threats under the guise of human life are unacceptable and outrageous. We will make maximum efforts to release them [the hostages] in the nearest future. We will not let terrorism bend us and will continue to contribute to the fight against terrorism with the international community," Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference.

Earlier in the day, a video apparently released by the Islamic State appeared on the Internet. The video showed a man, dressed in black with his face covered, holding a knife over two men on their knees. The militant demanded $200 million in ransom from Tokyo in exchange for the captives which were claimed to be Japanese citizens. Haruna Yukawa, the founder of a private security firm, and Kenji Goto, a freelance journalist, were abducted in Syria last year.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe - Sputnik International
Shinzo Abe Pledges $200 Mln to Countries Fighting Against Islamic State
The ransom ties in with the $200 million that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised to provide to countries fighting against the IS on Saturday in Cairo during his journey to the Middle East.

Earlier on Tuesday, Abe said that Japan was not going to give up the help it promised to fight the IS.

The Islamic State is a jihadist group that has taken areas of Iraq and Syria under its control. Infamous for their cruelty, the insurgents have kidnapped large numbers of people, including military personnel and journalists. Last year, the group released several videos showing the executions of journalists and aid workers.

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