August 23, 2026 02:44 am (IST)
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ISIL beheads Japanese journalist held captive
Tokyo, Feb 1 (IBNS) The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has released a video capturing the killing of a Japanese hostage- journalist Kenji Goto- by beheading, said media reports.
Kenji Goto, a Japanese journalist who was captured by the ISIL, was shown purportedly in the video being beheaded with a knife. The video was released online.
The video said "let the nightmare for Japan begin."
Japanese goverment spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the video could be authentic.
The ISIL member in the video in a grim warning to the world said: "Because of your reckless decision to take part in an unwinnable war, this knife will not only slaughter Kenji, but will also carry on and cause carnage wherever your people are found. So let the nightmare for Japan begin."
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a statement said: "A video was made public in which it appears that Mr. Kenji Goto was murdered, following Mr. Haruna Yukawa. I have no words when I think of the pain felt by their family members. The government has exerted every effort in its response. It is truly sorrowful and extremely regrettable."
"I feel strong anger at this act of terrorism, which is outrageous and the height of barbarism. I criticize in the strongest terms this impermissible violence. We absolutely will not forgive the terrorists. We will work with the international community to make them pay for their sins," he said.
"Japan will never give in to terrorism. We will further expand our humanitarian aid to the Middle East in areas such as food and medicine. Japan will resolutely carry out its duty as part of the international community fighting terrorism.
"I express gratitude from my heart to the friends of Japan and to the world leaders who showed strong solidarity and gave their cooperation aiming for release in response to this act of terrorism.
"We will continue to make every effort to secure the safety of the Japanese people at home and abroad," stated Abe.
Abe had earlier vowed to save the two Japanese hostages after the Islamic State group threatened to kill them.
In the trademark ISIL video, the hostage was shown kneeling on the ground in an orange suit while a man, who is wearing a black outfit, was seen standing beside
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