The Japanese government is trying to verify claims that one of the two hostages held by Islamic State has been killed.
But there was some confusion as a report from the Japanese Times said the captives were still alive.
A 72-hour deadline set by IS for the Japanese government to pay a $200m (£133m) ransom to secure the pair’s release expired on Friday.
A clip has now been released online purportedly of one of the hostages, journalist Kenji Goto, claiming his fellow captive Haruna Yukawa has been killed.
A Japanese government spokesman said the apparent murder of the private military company operator was “an outrageous and unacceptable act”.
He added: “We strongly demand the prompt release of the remaining Mr Kenji Goto, without harm.”
Cabinet ministers were holding an emergency meeting about the new message apparently from the jihadist group.
Earlier, the mother of Mr Goto pleaded with militants to spare her son’s life… see more
source: skynews
Tags: ISIS, Japanese Hostages Death, Politics
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