Japan replies ISIS after threat, vows not to give in to terrorism

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) sect is threatening to kill two Japanese hostages unless it receives a US$200 million (£131m) ransom within 72 hours, but Japan vows it will not give in to “terrorism”.

In the video, which mirrors earlier videos released by the militants threatening to kill hostages, a black-clad militant brandishes a knife and addresses the camera in English while standing between two hostages in orange jumpsuits. The militant directly addresses Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, currently on a six-day visit to the Middle East.

The hostages have been identified as Kenji Goto Jogo – a journalist – and Haruna Yukawa, a private military company operator who was kidnapped in Syria after going there to train with militants.