Japan demands release of hostage after one killed
A still image of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto in an orange garment holding a photograph allegedly showing Haruna Yukawa’s slain body. PHOTO | INTELLIGENCE GROUP
What you need to know:
- Abe brands murder of hostage by Islamic State militants as “outrageous and unforgivable”.
- The apparent beheading of self-employed security contractor Haruna Yukawa was announced in a video generally agreed to be credible.
TOKYO, Sunday
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday branded the murder of a Japanese hostage by Islamic State militants as “outrageous and unforgivable” and demanded the immediate release of a second captive, amid a tide of global revulsion.
The apparent beheading of self-employed security contractor Haruna Yukawa was announced in a video generally agreed to be credible, and appeared to mark a grave turn of events in a crisis that has gripped Japan for nearly a week.
“Such an act of terrorism is outrageous and unforgivable,” Abe told broadcaster NHK. “I condemn it strongly and resolutely,” he said, calling for the immediate freeing of Yukawa’s fellow captive, freelance journalist Kenji Goto.
In a city outside Tokyo, Shoichi Yukawa told of the horror he had felt when he learnt that threats to kill his son had been carried out.
“I thought ‘Ah, this finally happened’ and was filled with regret,” he said.
“I went totally blank, I was only sorry… I had no words,” he said. “In my mind I wish very much that this wasn’t true.”
US President Barack Obama led the worldwide condemnation of what he called the “brutal murder”.
Obama, who arrived in New Delhi Sunday for a three-day visit, telephoned Mr Abe from the Indian capital “to offer condolences for the murder… and to convey solidarity with the Japanese people,” said a White House statement.
