A presumed deadline for the execution of two Japanese hostages came and went on Friday with no news from their captors, Islamic State (IS).
The group threatened on Tuesday to behead Kenji Goto (47) and Haruna Yukawa (42) unless Japan's government paid a ransom of $200 million (€176 million) within 72 hours.
Both men were shown in a video dressed in orange jumpsuits, flanked by a masked jihadi who criticised Japan for funding the fight against radical Islam.
Mr Goto's mother pleaded on Friday for his release, saying her son had left behind his two-week-old daughter and gone to Syria to rescue a colleague - thought to be Mr Yukawa.
“Please free my son,” said Junko Ishidou at a press conference in Tokyo. “He is not an enemy of Islamic State. He has great respect and fondness for the nations of Islam.”
Japan has been trying since the IS ultimatum to leverage its influence in the Middle East. Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe has spoken with the leaders of Turkey, Egypt and Jordan, where a crisis centre has been set up to help find the men.
The government’s top spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, said it was doing all it could to enlist cooperation in the region. “The situation is dire, but Japan’s commitment to contributing to the international fight against terrorism remains unchanged.”
Japan’s efforts to free the men were questioned after it emerged the government had apparently ignored offers of help from several experts with links to IS.
Ko Nakata, an Islamic scholar, said this week he was on his way to meet members of the jihadist group but had been snubbed by government officials.
Kosuke Tsuneoka, a freelance journalist with years of experience in the Middle East, said direct dialogue with Islamic State was the only way to save the men.
“We have a channel of communication with (the group). But at the moment, the Japanese government doesn’t seem inclined to ask for our help. That’s the biggest problem.”
Japanese police investigated both men for suspected links to Islamic State and they are believed blacklisted by the authorities. Japan has few on-the-ground links to the region.
A jihadi in the video accused Japan of joining in a “holy war” “to “kill Muslim women and children and destroy Muslim homes,” an apparent reference to a pledge by Mr Abe of $200 million (€176 million) to countries fighting Islamic State.
Mr Abe was touring the Middle East, which supplies most of Japan’s crude oil, when the threat to kill the two men was issued. His government insists the aid package is “non-military.”
“We aim to provide only humanitarian aid such as helping refugees and providing sustainable medical care,” said Yasuhide Nakayama, state minister for foreign affairs.
The plight of the hostages has divided Japan. Most feel sympathy, but the two men also have been criticised as reckless for travelling to a region known to be extremely dangerous.
A video showing Mr Goto, a freelance journalist, saying the trip was his entirely his responsibility, has been repeatedly broadcast on the big television networks.
Mr Goto’s mother said her son was motivated only by a desire to help people, and cover the plight of children in conflict zones. “He was always a kind child. Even before he could walk, he always cared about other people.”
She said she was furious when she heard he had left behind his newborn to return to Syria. “I cannot quite come to terms with the decisions he has made here,” she said. “But I understand that my son is filled with a great kindness toward other people and wanted to help his colleague.”
