Japanese PM “speechless” after video claims ISIS hostage dead
The world was shocked after the Sunday, Jan. 25 video release showing one of the two Japanese hostages, held by the terrorist group ISIS, had been killed.
Prior to this video, the demands of ISIS had been for Japan to pay a ransom of $200 million in exchange for the group sparing Hurana Yukawa, 42, and Kenji Goto, 47.
Goto was featured in the Sunday video holding up a photo of a beheaded Yukawa, forced to read out a script of the group’s newest demands.
ISIS is now willing to trade Goto for Sajida Mubarak al-Rishawi, 35, an Iraqi woman sentenced to hang in Jordan for a failed suicide bomb attempt in Amman.
“They no longer want money,” Goto said in the video. “You bring them their sister from the Jordanian regime, and I will be released immediately. Me for her. Don’t let these be my last words you ever hear. Don’t let Abe also kill me.”
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to whom the video refers, appeared on the public broadcaster NHK early Sunday, Jan. 25, stating that the video showing the beheaded Goto was likely authentic – although the video is said to be still under review.
In reaction to the video, Yukawa’s father, Soichi, told reporters that he hoped “deep in his heart” that the news of his son’s killing was not true.
“If I am ever reunited with him, I just want to give him a big hug,” said Soichi.
U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the brutal murder of Yukawa, offering condolences to Prime Minister Abe for this tragic loss. Obama stated that the United States will stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Japan, calling for the immediate release of Goto.
Prime Minister Abe stood firm on his foreign policy, stating that Japan would not be deflected from its foreign mission by acts of terrorism.
“We will never give in to terrorism, and we will actively contribute to the peace and stability of the world together with the international community,” said the Prime Minsiter to NHK. “We are not wavering at all on this policy.”
Prime Minister Abe also offered condolences to the family and friends of Haruna Yukawa, but declined to comment on the message in the video.
The new video has intensified anxieties over the fate of Goto, and has also led to the criticism of Prime Minister Abe, who some believe is responsible for the hostage crisis due to his drive for a more assertive Japan.
Despite those who believe the two hostages acted irresponsibly themselves, both travelling independently to Syria at great risks, many firmly continue to support the notion that Abe should be held accountable for the death of Yukawa and Goto’s capture.
About 100 protesters held a rally outside of Prime Minister Abe’s office on Sunday, Jan. 25 to voice their discontent with his foreign policy commitments, which they believe have contributed to anti-Japanese attitudes abroad. Protesters held signs that read “I’m Kenji” and “Free Goto,” in hopes that the Prime Minister will save Goto.
Demonstrator Kenji Kunitomi, 66, deems Prime Minister Abe completely responsible for bringing the hostage crisis upon himself.
“This happened when Prime Minister Abe was visiting Israel,” said Kunitomi in an interview with The Toronto Star. “I think there’s a side to this where they may have taken it as a form of provocation, possibly a big one.”
Since Prime Minister Abe’s re-election in December, he has supported proposals to remove Article 9 of Japan’s constitution, which was adopted after the Second World War and drafted by U.S. occupation forces. Article 9 renounces the use of war or the threat of force to resolve international disputes, and bans the maintenance of armed forces with war potential.
It is unclear whether the public’s lack of support for such changes within the policy will push the Prime Minister to intensify his foreign policy commitments, or shift his stance and withdraw from the policy’s commitments.