The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is once again threatening the lives of two civilians - in this case, two Japanese hostages, in exchange for $200 million, the same amount of money Japan pledged to help countries affected by ISIS, CNN reported.
The two hostages, identified as Kenji Goto Jogo and Haruna Yukawa, were both on their knees wearing orange jumpsuits in the video released by ISIS, and standing between them is the man believed to be Jihadist John.
The masked man gave the Japanese government 72 hours to make their decision, otherwise the two men will be beheaded.
"Although you are more than 8,500 kilometers away from the Islamic State, you willingly volunteered to take part in this crusade," he addressed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
But Abe, during his visit in the Middle East, didn't seem to be swayed by ISIS. He called their actions "unacceptable" and ordered his men to do whatever they can to save the two hostages.
"I feel angry about it," he said. "I strongly urge them to immediately release the hostages without harming them."
He said that Japan's pledge aid is very important to the refugees in need, and has nothing to do with ISIS.
"We will contribute to the region's peace and stability, in cooperation with the global community," he said.
This is not the first time Abe dealt with a hostage crisis involving Islamic militants. Back in January 2013, 10 Japanese citizens were caught in between a terrorist attempt to seize a natural gas facility in Algeria.
"Terrorists should not be forgiven, for any reason. I criticize (the taking of hostages) emphatically," the Prime Minister said, adding that they "need to deal with terrorists without giving in to them."
CNN reported that the two Japanese men were in the same region for different reasons. Goto, like previous hostages James Foley and Steven Sotloff, was there as a journalist. He is a freelance journalist who reports to different Japanese news agencies, particularly about the Syrian city of Kobani, which ISIS has been attacking for several weeks.
Goto last posted on his Twitter account on October 23.
Meanwhile, Yukawa was captured in Syria last August as he was travelling with rebel fighters, according to Japanese news agency Kyodo. The same agency said that Japanese officials in Jordan have been arranging for his release but failed to do so.
Further, Reuters described him as a "lost soul" who travelled to the Middle East in search of his life's purpose after losing his wife, his business, and his home.
