Japan turns to Jordan amid hostage crisis

The Japanese government is making full-out efforts to rescue hostage Kenji Goto who is assumed to be alive, but in vain. Some Japanese people are on a strike demanding for a more aggressive action.

The Islamic State militant group is requesting the trade between Goto and female terrorist Sajida al-Rishawi held in Jordan. It remains in question whether the trade will be realized. Since Jordan has to rescue its pilot captured by the militant group, it is almost impossible to let the woman go for the sake of the Japanese hostage.

Yasuhide Nakayama, a Japanese deputy foreign minister who is in charge of the on-site office set up at Jordan`s capital of Amman, told reporters Monday, "We have a consistent goal (of release of hostage) and will not give up. We will do our best." Japan is contacting with the Jordan government for various possibilities including hostage trade, but the Jordan government is avoiding making any comment. The U.S. is also opposing to exchange between hostage and terrorist, troubling the Japanese government.

As the Japanese government`s commitment to rescue the hostage showed no outcome yet, Japanese people are starting to denounce the government. At the prime minister residence building in Tokyo on Sunday afternoon, some 100 people gathered holding placards reading "Rescue Kenji Goto, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe!"

Some demonstrators held placards reading, "I AM KENJI," which is fast spreading on social network services including Facebook.