looks like there is ray of hope for japanese ISIS hostage as Jordan TV reports that the state will be swapping him with ISIS prisoner

 

Jordan today agreed to release a would-be suicide bomber in exchange for one of its air force pilots being held by the Islamic State.

Pilot Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh and Japanese hostage Kenji Goto have been threatened with execution this afternoon unless the Jordanian government frees the Iraqi terrorist.

Al-Rishawi was sentenced to death in Jordan for her involvement in a 2005 terrorist attack by Al Qaeda on hotels in Amman that killed 60 people.

Information Minister Mohammed al-Momani said 'Jordan is ready to release the Iraqi prisoner' if al-Kaseasbeh is released unharmed, according to a statement on Jordan's state television.  

But Mr al-Momani made no mention of Mr Goto.

In separate developments, efforts to free the Japanese journalist were thrown into confusion after Tokyo was forced to deny reported comments by one of its ministers that a deal was imminent.

The Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister was earlier reported as saying that Mr Goto would be released 'within hours' in a prisoner exchange deal for al-Rishawi. 

Speaking to journalists, Junko Ishido said both prime minister Shinzo Abe and the main government spokesmen had declined to meet with her because their schedules were full. 

'Please save Kenji's life,' Ishido said, begging Abe to work with the Jordanian government until the very end to try to save Mr Goto.

'Kenji has only a little time left,' she said. 

Abe earlier expressed outrage at the latest threat as secret talks in Jordan sought the release of the man and a Jordanian pilot also being held hostage.

'This was an extremely despicable act and we feel strong indignation. We strongly condemn that,' Abe said. 

'While this is a tough situation, we remain unchanged in our stance of seeking help from the Jordanian government in securing the early release of Mr Goto.'

 

japan prime minister pictured here not actually in a good mood