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Japan seeks Jordan’s help in gaining hostage’s release

TOKYO — Japan sought help from Jordan and other countries yesterday in its race to save a hostage held by the extremist Islamic State group, with no signs of progress on securing his release.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) in Parliament yesterday as Japan scrambles to save its hostage. Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) in Parliament yesterday as Japan scrambles to save its hostage. Photo: Reuters

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TOKYO — Japan sought help from Jordan and other countries yesterday in its race to save a hostage held by the extremist Islamic State group, with no signs of progress on securing his release.

The country’s chief government spokesman refused direct comment on the contents of talks with Jordan, where a Japanese envoy is coordinating regional efforts to save hostage Mr Kenji Goto.

The Islamic State group said in an online video on Jan 20 that it had two Japanese hostages and would kill them within 72 hours unless it paid US$200 million (S$269 million).

Over the weekend, a new, unverified video showed a photo of Mr Goto, a 47-year-old journalist, holding a picture of what appears to be the body of fellow hostage Haruna Yukawa. It included a recording of a voice claiming to be Mr Goto, saying his captors want a prisoner exchange instead of ransom.

Asked if the latest demand, which brings Jordan into the picture, makes the situation more complex, spokesman Yoshihide Suga avoided a straight answer. But he said: “Naturally, Jordan has its own thoughts.”

“The government is doing its utmost as the situation is still developing,’’ he added. “We are seeking cooperation from every possible party toward a release (of the remaining hostage).”

Japanese officials have indicated they are treating the video released over the weekend as authentic and thus accepting the likelihood that Mr Yukawa, a 42-year-old adventurer captured in Syria last summer, was killed. “It was an extremely dastardly act,” Mr Suga said.

United States President Barack Obama condemned “the brutal murder” and called Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to express condolences. His statement did not say how the US knew Mr Yukawa was dead.

French President Francois Hollande condemned the killing and praised Japan’s determined engagement in the fight against international terrorism.

In Amman, Mr Yasuhide Nakayama, the Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of the crisis, emerged from meetings with no fresh progress to report. “Due to the nature of this problem, please understand why I cannot disclose information such as with whom I had meetings,” he said.

Mr Nakayama vowed to absolutely not give up until the end.

AP could not verify the contents of the weekend video message, which differed from earlier videos released by the Islamic State, which now holds a third of both Syria and Iraq.

Mr Goto is thought to have been seized in late October after going there to try to rescue Mr Yukawa.

Some in Japan are critical of the two men for taking such risks. Others are also criticising Mr Abe for pursuing a more assertive foreign policy, saying it may have contributed to the crisis.

Mr Abe has pushed to expand the role for Japan’s troops, one that has remained confined to self-defence under the pacifist constitution adopted after the nation’s defeat in World War II.

While on a visit to the Middle East earlier this month, Mr Abe announced US$200 million in humanitarian aid to the nations fighting the militants.

Ms Toshiko Okada, 68, who used to run an English school in a Tokyo suburb, said she was stunned by the news

“I feel Abe’s misguided shallow acts have triggered this ransom demand,” she said. “Maybe he should be attending to problems at home.” AP

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