Islamic State Hostage Crisis in Japan
Ms. Goto's mother appealed for her release.
Junko Ishido, January 23, 2015, Tokyo, Japan : Junko Ishido, mother of the freelance journalist Kenji Goto, one of the hostages held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in downtown Tokyo. She also said that she would change places with her son if she could as she knew that he would put his life to good use. On Tuesday 20th January 2015 the Islamic State released a video message threatening to kill two Japanese hostages (the freelance journalist Kenji Goto and Haruna Yukawa founder of a private security company) within 72 hours unless they receive US $200 million. The deadline for payment is due to expire sometime today. (Photo by Rodrigo Reyes Marin/AFLO)