TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on Saturday for the immediate release of a Japanese journalist held by the Islamic State (IS) militant group after an audio recording claimed a fellow Japanese captive had been executed.

Read: Kenji is not an enemy of Islam, says hostage’s mother

Japanese government officials said they had yet to confirm the authenticity of an image of what appeared to be Haruna Yukawa. Mr Abe and other officials demanded the immediate release of the remaining Japanese captive, reporter Kenji Goto.

Also read: Japan vows to 'never give up' search for IS hostages

Mr Yukawa was seized by militants in August, after he went to Syria in what he described as a plan to launch a security company. Mr Goto, a veteran war correspondent, went into Syria in late October seeking to secure Mr Yukawa’s release, according to friends and business associates.

Published in Dawn January 25th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play