Japanese Hostage's Wife Follows Islamic State, Shares Audio Message

The wife of Kenji Goto, the Japanese journalist being held hostage by the Islamic State terrorist group, has issued an audio statement pleading for his life.

Her audio statement resembled the format in which the militant organization had released a message from Mr Goto just days earlier, setting a sunset  deadline on Thursday for the life of captured Jordanian pilot Lt Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh. The deadline has passed at 8 pm IST.

"I have not spoken out until now as I have been trying to protect my children and family from the media attention Kenji's plight has created around the world. My husband and I have two very young daughters. Our baby girl was only three weeks old when Kenji left. I hope our oldest daughter, who is just two, will get to see her father again. I want them both to grow up knowing their father," says Rinko, Mr Kenji's wife, in her 3 minute 44 second audio message.

She also adds that the Islamic State has been in touch with her since December 2, when it contacted her, with an e-mail which said she should publicise that the Jordanian pilot would be killed if Sajeda al-Rashawi, who is on death row for her failed suicide bombing attempt in Jordan in 2005, is not released.

The Jordanian government is considering an unprecedented prisoner swap, in the face of the Islamic State's demand for Sajeda's release. Mr al- Kaseasbeh family belongs to an influential tribe and King Abdullah can't afford to antagonise them. However, Jordan has asked for 'proof of life' before committing to the swap.

Japan's Deputy Foreign Minister Yusuhide Nakayama has been camping in Jordan's capital, Amman, heading a task force, after a first message from the Islamic State appeared a week ago. The Japanese Government is worried a potential prisoner swap will not free its national, Mr Goto. Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh though has been quoted by media as saying 'of course' he will be part of the deal.

The Islamic State has already executed another Japanese national, Haruna Yukawa, a private military contractor - held captive along with Mr Goto.