Japan PM condemns IS threat

(Vatican Radio) At a press conference on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the latest threat by Islamic State militants to kill Japanese freelance journalist Kenji Goto by the end of the day.

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"This was an extremely despicable act,” he said. “I feel strong anger. I have ordered that we work together as one on securing the release of Kenji Goto as soon as possible.”

The message, issued by Islamic State late Tuesday includes, the threat to assassinate Jordanian fighter pilot Lt. Mu’ath al-Kaseasbeh as well, unless Jordan frees an Iraqi woman sentenced to death for her involvement in a 2005 terrorist attack that killed 60 people.

In Jordan, the pilot's father has pleaded with the government to meet the militants’ demands. In Japan, Goto’s mother has also appealed to the Prime Minister to save her son.

A member of Jordan's Parliament said the country was in indirect talks with the militants, through religious and tribal leaders in Iraq, to secure the hostages' release.

Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister was in Amman to co-ordinate hostage-release efforts with Jordan, though Japan has refused to negotiate directly with the militants, who reportedly beheaded the first Japanese hostage, Haruna Yukawa, last weekend.