Islamic State deadline on Japanese captives passes with no word on fate
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AP
This file image taken from an online video released by the Islamic State
group's al-Furqan media arm on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, purports to show
the group threatening to kill two Japanese hostages that the militants
identify as Kenji Goto Jogo, left, and Haruna Yukawa, right, unless a
$200 million ransom is paid within 72 hours.
Japan top spokesman says situation "extremely severe"; Japan top spokesman says negotiating through all channels; PM Abe's handling of crisis a test but few options.
Japan said on Friday it was still trying to secure the release of two
Japanese hostages held by Islamic State militants after a deadline to
pay ransom for their release passed and there was no immediate word on
their fate.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government considered whether planned
legislative changes would give it the legal basis for a military strike
on the Islamic State militants and concluded it did not, according to a
briefing document reviewed by Reuters.
The capture of two Japanese citizens in Syria represents an "unacceptable act of terror", the document said.
But it concluded the situation would not meet the legal conditions for
the dispatch of Japanese forces, whose activities abroad are constrained
by the pacifist, post-war constitution, even under planned changes to
the current interpretation of the charter.
In an online video released on Tuesday, a black-clad figure holding a
knife stood between journalist Kenji Goto and troubled loner Haruna
Yukawa, threatening to kill them if Tokyo did not pay Islamic State $200
million within 72 hours.
Mr. Abe has said saving the men's lives is paramount but that Japan will
not bow to terrorism. Japanese officials have declined to say if they
would pay any ransom, a move that would put Tokyo at odds with close
ally the United States.
"Despite the fact that the situation is severe, we are continuing to
seek cooperation from all countries, tribal leaders and religious
representatives who might have contacts with an aim to secure the early
release of the two Japanese," chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga
told reporters.
Mr. Goto's mother pleaded for his release just hours before the deadline passed.
"My son Kenji is not an enemy of the people of the Islamic faith. I can
only pray as a mother for his release," Junko Ishido told a packed news
conference, choking back tears. "If I could offer my life I would plead
that my son be released, it would be a small sacrifice on my part.
"He only went to rescue his friend. He has always looked out for weaker
people, he was always helping weaker children than him," she added.
Mr. Abe has ordered his government to make every effort to secure their
safe release, setting off a flurry of activity among Japanese diplomats.
However, sources familiar with the matter said Japanese diplomats had
told the families of the two captives prior to the video's release that
no ransom would be paid.
The captor in the video, which resembles those showing previous Islamic
State captives, said the ransom demand matched the $200 million in aid
that Mr. Abe pledged to help countries fighting Islamist militants.
Humanitarian aid
Mr. Abe made the pledge during a multi-nation visit to the Middle East
earlier this month. Islamic State militants have seized large areas of
Iraq and Syria, and beheaded several Western captives.
Japan has stressed that its donation is for humanitarian aid, such as
helping refugees, and insisted that it will not bow to terrorist
threats.
In an address at Friday prayers at Tokyo's most prominent mosque, the
Tokyo Camii and Turkish Culture Centre, the imam, Muhammad Rashid Alas,
called for the "immediate release of the two Japanese hostages," quoting
from the Quran on the need to show mercy.
The centre had earlier posted a statement saying Islamic State's actions
are "totally against Islam and have a serious impact on Muslim
communities all over the world and put Muslims in a precarious
position".
Mr. Abe's handling of the hostage crisis — he must appear firm but not
callous — will be a big test for the 60-year-old, but he appears to have
few options.
Few Japanese are likely to blame Mr. Abe if the two captives are killed,
but there could be questions raised over why he singled out countries
battling Islamic State for the aid when it was known the group was
holding two Japanese nationals.
"Just when they held hostages and considered what they should do about
them, Mr. Mr. Abe offered something that would, in their (IS's) logic,
raise the hurdle (for resolving the situation)," said Motohiro Ono, an
opposition Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker who is a Middle East
expert.
Mr. Yukawa, aged around 42 and who dreamed of becoming a military
contractor, was captured in August outside the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Mr. Goto, 47, a war correspondent with experience in Middle East hot
spots, went to Syria in late October to try to help Yukawa.
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