As the $200 million ransom deadline for two captured Japanese citizens draws near, Japan still has no contact with the Islamic militant group responsible for the kidnapping.
ISIS released a video stating that it will kill two Japanese citizens within 72 hours if they do not receive the sum of money they are demanding.
The Japanese government says time will run out for paying the ransom at 12:50 a.m Tokyo time on Jan. 23. (2:50 p.m. EST)
Japanese officials say they are trying their best to communicate with ISIS through governments within the region and local tribe leaders, and so far they have yet to receive any responses from the groups.
Japan is still very concerned about the well-being of the two hostages, freelance journalist Kenji Goto and self employed contractor Haruna Yukawa.
CNN reports Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary officer Yoshihide Suga stated that the government is aiming to save both Kenji and Haruna as soon as possible.
ISIS has linked the ransom to the amount Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would offer to help counter international atrocities conducted by the group.
Photo curtesy of Google Images.
Video curtesy of Youtube.
