Photos: Islamic State’s Japanese hostages

Junko Ishido, mother of Japanese journalist Keni Goto, who was taken hostage by Islamic State, speaks at a Jan. 23 news conference in Tokyo.   (Koji Sasahara / Associated Press)

With the deadline for killing the two hostages nearing, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center, heads to a Cabinet meeting at his official residence in Tokyo on Jan. 23. With him, from left, are Communication Minister Sanae Takaichi, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.  (Jiji Press / AFP/Getty Images)

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga ponders during a Jan. 23 news conference in Tokyo as militants warn that the countdown for killing the Japanese hostages has begun.   (Koji Sasahara / Associated Press)

Japanese hostages held by Islamic State militants appear on a television screen in an electronics store in Tokyo on Jan. 20.  (Shizuo Kambayashi / Associated Press)