Rinko Jogo

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe defended his policy toward terrorism, as the flag at his official residence flew at half-staff on Monday in a mark of mourning for two hostages killed by the Islamic State group.

The fates of a Japanese journalist and Jordanian military pilot were unknown today, a day after the latest purported deadline for a possible prisoner swap passed with no further word from the Islamic State group holding them captive.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe defended his policy toward terrorism, as the flag at his official residence flew at half-staff on Monday in a mark of mourning for two hostages killed by the Islamic State group.

The fates of a Japanese journalist and Jordanian military pilot were unknown today, a day after the latest purported deadline for a possible prisoner swap passed with no further word from the Islamic State group holding them captive.