japanese hostages held by isis !! i hope this doesnt end in tears...

Islamic State video threatens lives of two Japanese hostages
Militants demand $200m ransom for release of hostages named as Kenji Goto Jogo and Haruna Yukawa


Islamic State has released a video threatening the lives of two Japanese hostages and demanding a $200m (£130m) ransom from their government.

The 1min 40sec film entitled “A message to the government at the people of Japan” begins with footage in English from Japan’s public broadcaster giving details of a multimillion-dollar Middle Eastern aid package announced just a few days ago by the prime minister, Shinzo Abe.

Standing between two kneeling hostages wearing orange jumpsuits and named on screen as Kenji Goto Jogo and Haruna Yukawa, a British-sounding militant dressed in the now-familiar black robe and mask and brown leather gun belt, demands that $100m be paid for the life of each hostage within three days.

“To the prime minister of Japan, although you are 8,500km from the Islamic State, you willingly have volunteered to take part in this crusade,” he says.

Standing on a hillside in a rocky desert, which appears to be similar to that of previous hostage footage, he continues: “You have proudly donated $100m to kill our women and children, to destroy the homes of the Muslims.”

Gesturing with a knife to the man believed to be Goto, he says: “So the life of this Japanese citizen will cost you $100m.”

Pointing at the man named on screen as Yukawa he says it will cost the Japanese government another $100m to save him.

Abe said in a live interview tonight that he wouldn't be paying the ransom.
A stance that most governments take as paying simply gives people the incentive to take more hostages.

It was just someone trying to tell you that you're wrong as usual.

Didn't know that.

A very popular and dynamic personality, he later became a diplomat and was sent from the Japanese embassy in London to Iraq where he was killed by unknown assailants with his colleague Masamori Inoue and their Iraqi driver when their car was ambushed on November 29, 2003. He was promoted posthumously to ambassador in recognition of his work by the Japanese foreign ministry (Gaimusho).

Katsuhiko Oku made a point of visiting many countries and finding out what the local people wanted. He saw it as the first duty of a diplomat.

Since 2004 an Oku Memorial Trophy has been contested annually in Richmond, London by the Kew Occasionals club (founded by Katsu Oku's good friend Reg Clark) and some Japanese teams.

No thanks. I don't like Fords.

$200million could buy every Betfair chit chatter a big house, nice car and a years supply of high end escorts.

And a couple of Gigolos for the girls......

They don't have the stomach for proper intervention (and why should they)?

A shocking dilemma for any nation.

Has it been decided that £100 million is the going rate for sparing a life?

So, next time they need a few bob they can have a bash at using five hostages, or whatever.

If they cave in to the threats they might as well get all parties to agree that, to avoid all the trauma,
no more hostages are to be taken from any country and, in return we will all set up a direct debit.

Paying a ransom demand is not a dilemma.

Totally correct!

Paying it is not a dilemma. The dilemma is whether to pay it or not!

about time someone went to war with these fookers

How many "Moderate Muslims" have been out to negotiate with the psychopaths "who have besmirched our religion" please?

Father of murdered hostage on tv saying how sad he is but also apologising for his son going over there and getting Japan involved.