(Via ITV) The Japanese government is ‘looking into’ a video purporting to be from Islamic State militants claiming to have killed one of two Japanese men being held hostage.
In the clip posted online – which features only a still image and audio – journalist Kenji Goto Jogo is shown in an orange jumpsuit as a narrator claims that fellow captive Haruna Yukawa has been murdered.

“You did not take the threats of my captives seriously and you did not act within 72 hours. To my beloved wife I love you. And I miss my two daughters. Please do not let them do the same in my case. You must continue to pressure our government.” (link)

In the video statement, which is read in English, the militant group is now demanding the release of an Islamist prisoner – named Sajida al-Rishawi – in his exchange for Jogo’s release.
The Japanese government says it is trying to verify the video, which takes a different format from previous ones posted by the group, NHK News reports. (more)

…“Today we are witnessing a criminal form of anarchy, a nihilism which illegitimately claims an ideological and religious foundation. Against this enemy we are increasingly organizing and fighting back. But in doing so we have to also keep our heads.

Obviously the biggest error we could make would be to blame Muslims collectively for crimes not committed by Muslims alone. Crimes that the overwhelming majority of Muslims oppose. Crimes that their faith utterly rejects, and that Muslim leaders themselves have the greatest ability to address. Religions don’t require adherence to raze villages and blow up people.” …
~ John Kerry