IS claims it executed Japanese hostage

“Japan never abandons its people,” she said.

This lady needs to talk to the displaced families from 3/11

Terrible news...but honestly I don't think anyone is getting out of there alive- IS doesn't strike me as credible or trustworthy enough to release Goto, even if paid off/traded. Additionally giving in would just make Japanese preferable targets in future happenings.

I think that Japan and most Japanese realize this..and understand what a tragic situation this is, all around.

klausdorth

Yukawa was looking for trouble and I am less pitifull of him. however Kenji Goto is a serious freelance journalist. it's his job to tell REAL stories and people like him who has the guts to risk his life to expose what is happening over there while the rest of us throw our opinions through our laptops in the comfort of our desk and bed rooms. He should get recognition.

He is not the kind of journalist who will just ignore what is happening in the real world and instead just report about AKB 48 and New recipe cooked by some stupid talento here in Japan. He is not just a CNN type corporate driven journalist. I understand his passion.

While the whole Japan turned their backs to their fellow misguided and idiot countryman... Kenji Goto risked his life to still save him, if you are a friend or a relative of Yukawa, you will thank Goto's action. Goto is a great man way more greater than ABE!

Woman are second class according to these violent radicals. Why do they want to trade for a woman?

I bet the DPJ are relieved they're not in power. They were unfortunate that the Fukushima incident occurred when they were in power. You could tell the LDP were enjoying the DPJ's meltdown, ironic since the LDP were in power all those years when nobody gave a damn about safety and regulations at nuclear plants.

Welp, Abe, you're now experiencing what other Western countries felt when they first met radical Islamic terrorists. With China and the Koreas you knew their song & dance and the antagonizing comments and pointless threats going back & forth and they're enemies you're comfortable with.

IS is unpredictable, brutal, and an enemy you can't handle the same you have with your old familiar foes. Question is, what's Abe's response?

Sajida al-Rishawi is believed to be the sister of Abu Masub al-Zarkawi, former leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, himself responsible for thousands of terrorist murders before the US Air Force dropped two 500 lb. bombs on his safehouse back in 2006. (And he was Jordanian, not Iraqi, so I hope we don't have to hear that old canard about such murderers being "freedom fighters defending their homeland from invasion.")

Sajida and her husband strapped bombs onto themselves and then went to a Jordanian wedding party in Amman, part of three separate, simultaneous attacks on western hotels. Her husband blew himself up, killing 38 innocent celebrating civilians, while Sajida chickened out and was caught red-handed by Jordanian security forces.

Wicked people, the lot of them. Don't forget that "al-Qaeda in Iraq" later morphed into ISIS once al-Baghdadi took the group over and sent everyone into the Syrian War. Personally, I don't think it's worth negotiating for one life so that convicted terrorists can be released to murder yet more innocent people. The fact that she "only tried" to murder people and failed might give some people ideas that the deal is a good one, but I strongly disagree: releasing this woman would be a huge propaganda coup for ISIS.

I feel for the man's family. And hearing-- repeatedly, as the news we watch nightly deemed it necessary to repeat the audio several times-- Goto speak of missing his wife and daughters was heartbreaking. He spoke of being a "dead man talking," and while I hope beyond hope he comes home safely to his loved ones, it was like hearing the words of a ghost, haunting and desperately alone.

they were dead the moment they caught them, dont blame your politicians for just once, in this case they can't help it, its terrorism, not the geneva convention, you can NOT give in to it,, they can be martyrs,not saved

Shonanbb, good point! - Why do they want this woman? - Let's go back a week ago. On Tuesday ISIS released a video demanding $ 200 million for the lives of the two Japanese hostages. This video was edited in post production film studio. It seemed that it was not possible to shoot the three together (Goto, Jihad John and Yukawa). Probably because at least one of them was already dead. And turned to be Yukawa.

From the beginning they were not intending for the money, the ransom. They were after her.

So, who is Sajida Mubarak? - She was the sister of Al Qaeda leader al-Zarqawi, who died a year later. Probably she was not female suicide bomber as they told us. Perhaps her role on the Amman bombings was another and more complex. Three hotels were destroyed , there was chaos. Maybe her participation was another, steal a document, murder, who knows? - Surely they do.

Well said looking at the history or many religions I see many violent stages and stages where religion tried to govern.

So true. Every major religion, including different sects, have resulted in deaths. Religion should be something to guide you but not inflict on others.

“I condemn it strongly and resolutely,” said the Japanese leader.

Actions, not words senor tummyache.

The US, the British, the Germans, and the EU all voiced their public condemnation, why haven't ANY middle eastern countries done the same?

It seems that Japan can't stop depending on Jordan about exchange of hostage and prisoner though there is no deadline for that demand.

I wonder if Junko Ishido will give another press conference on nuclear energy again? Her first press conference was bewildering to say the least

If so, then at least return his remains to his family for proper burial.

Sauron..Jan26,2015 "The US, the British, the Germans, and the EU all voiced their public condemnation, why haven't ANY middle eastern countries done the same?"

Very good question! Worth asking and addressing this point. PERHAPS these kinds of acts are the 'norm' in that part of the world and the ideology which is part of their psyche is so entrenched in that they blindly succumb to following this path of righteousness and have become numb to REAL human feelings and respect for humanity as a whole. SAD.

Maybe her participation was another, steal a document, murder, who knows? - Surely they do.

If her role was something like that, it makes her a very valuable person to the IS, and a danger to the world if she is capable to carry on a plan for terrorist attacks of such dimension. Remember, terrorism came from the terror that generates not to know when and where a brutal attack will occur, can we afford to have brains on the loose?

while Sajida chickened out and was caught red-handed by Jordanian security forces. If that's true, then what's her value? if she "failed" her mission, then she will be sent to do another suicide attack or she be judged and executed, either way, i don't see the connection with the hostage.

The hypothesis that Yukawa was already dead by the time of the first demand for ransom seems plausible, however, I have this nagging feeling that he sacrificed himself to the IS, although the most logic explanation is that since he was perceived as a mercenary and a Spy by the IS, he was killed on the spot; either way, his Japanese family is the one who suffer.

Goto is a hero, and i feel for this guy

robbieR.

Well said looking at the history or many religions I see many violent stages and stages where religion tried to govern.

It is amazing how SITE Intelligence group got the news first again. There are only three employees apparently. They are rather reminiscent of "Intel Center" who used to release footage of Bin Laden http://infowars.net/articles/september2007/100907BinLaden.htm at particularly opportune times apparently http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&prev=search&rurl=translate.google.co.jp&sl=de&u=http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/july2007/160707dubioustape.htm&usg=ALkJrhjM1a9BAk25-g1xYAdX_G00bp65dw

Japan never abandons its people, she said.

"This lady needs to talk to the displaced families from 3/11."

Wish I could click a hundred times on that one!

@Steve:

The problem is that there is no way to guarantee that ISIS will release the man. If they're as "evil" as stated, what's stopping them from killing Goto after getting paid? I can't imagine a scenario where the trade could happen outside of something from a hollywood flick... sadly this isn't hollywood.

Steve: What is ISIS going to do with 200MM?

Killing another 100s of people, whose life is as worth as any others.

There is no easy way to handle this kind of request. And if it works once it will works more. I strongly belive that unfortunately the "no negotiation" is the most human way.

People going there (on their wills or by companies) should get ready with that. And in the worst case scenario give part of the 200MM to the family.

An all-out war is necessary to eliminate these renegade terrorists.

klausdorth

my mistake... apologies

Other sites tell us that Yukawa's real name was Harukana. He changed his name to Haruna after converting to islam and joining the group Islamic Front to fight against the Syrian government. He was not simply a "private military contractor" as Japanese media claim.

"Pay the money and save your people. Your people are the most precious to you."

Steve, what if I told you that I kidnapped someone very dear to you and that I will kill that person unless you pay me everything you've got, and let's assume that you're rich. You of course will pay me, and I will continue my evil ways...

"They will continue on the path they have chosen, regardless of what we do."

Unless we go after them.

Pay these thugs? Who pays? And will they continue to pay when it becomes open season on any Japanese by any terrorist group because of that? Naive.

Gee.. I wish JT has an edit button, for the second paragraph:

while Sajida chickened out and was caught red-handed by Jordanian security forces.

If that's true, then what's her value? if she "failed" her mission, then she will be sent to do another suicide attack or she be judged and executed, either way, i don't see the connection with the hostage.

I wish people would stop calling it the "Islamic State". This group of thugs has nothing to do with Islam or its religion of non-violence. No "state" takes hostages, demands payment and then beheads them when they don't get paid. These actions are simply criminal. I hate to say this, but its time to put boots on the ground and end this madness.

RIP Yukawa san and my guess very soon Goto san too.

They should swap the suicide bomber woman for Kenji Goto, and then get a B-1 to drop a daisy cutter on her as soon as the rescuers are at a safe distance.

Pay the money and save your people. Your people are the most precious to you. Deal with what happens next after because nothing witll happen next. Why did you sacrifice to Japanese for the sake of solidarity with America. Disgusting.

@ Serrano. Thats excatly it. They will continue on the path they have chosen, regardless of what we do. We may as well save innocent Japanese lives.

It is perhaps ironic to find Japan involved in worldly war affairs when domstically they are reluctant with foreigners. Very contradictive, all matters considered.

Abe branded the murder of Yukawa as “outrageous and unforgivable” and called for Goto’s immediate release.

“I condemn it strongly and resolutely,” said the Japanese leader.

Yeah your condemnation will not help, so what can these big countries do now? move on and wait for the next hostage and watch ISIS grow more? yep they bragged last time that they've killed 6,000 ISIS fighters, however there's 39,000 more.

U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the “brutal murder” and offered Abe condolences

Family members of the deceased would be a much more appropriate recipient of condolences than Abe.

Lets hope these are just claims. What would ISIS do with ransom money?. What made this group the way they are?... could it be that they are a product of a greater injustice?