Japan captive's mother pleads for his release as Islamic State deadline nears
The mother of a Japanese journalist held captive by Islamic State militants along with another Japanese citizen appealed for his safe release on Friday as a ransom deadline neared and the government acknowledged it was in an "extremely severe situation".
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said saving the men's lives is paramount but that Japan will not bow to terrorism.
In an online video released on Tuesday, a black-clad figure holding a knife stood between journalist Kenji Goto and troubled loner Haruna Yukawa, threatening to kill them if Tokyo did not pay Islamic State $200 million within 72 hours.
