Japanese IS hostage appeals for prisoner swap in new video, warns he will be killed in 24 hours

TOKYO, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- A video message posted Tuesday purportedly by the Islamic State warns that Japanese hostage Kenji Goto will be executed within 24 hours if Jordan fails to release an Iraqi prisoner on death row.

In the unconfirmed video, titled "The second public message of 'Kenji Goto Jogo' to his family and the government of Japan," a man identifying himself as Goto issues the following warning.

"I've been told this is my last message, and I've also been told that the barrier of extracting my freedom is now just the Jordanian government delaying the handover of Sajida," referring to Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi woman on death row in Jordan for her role in a deadly attacks against hotels in Jordan in 2005.

"Tell the Japanese government to put all their political pressure on Jordan. Time is now running very short. It is me for her.

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"What seems to be so difficult to understand? She has been a prisoner for a decade, and I've only been a prisoner for a few months. Her for me. A straight exchange.

Goto relayed a warning to the Jordanian government that "anymore delays... will mean they're responsible for the death of their pilot, which will then be followed by mine." The Islamic State captured Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh on Dec. 24, 2014 after his F-16 plane came down over Syria.

"I only have 24 hours to live... Please don't leave us to die," Goto pleads in the video, noting "The ball is now in the Jordanians' court."

Japanese officials met late Tuesday at the prime minister's office to discuss the video and around 1:00 a.m. local time Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga issued a statement that "The government, facing an extremely tough situation, has asked for the cooperation of the Jordanian government to seek an early release of Mr. Goto. (Top officials) have confirmed that policy will remain unchanged."

The IS on Saturday said it executed Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa because Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe failed to provide a $200 million ransom.