Hostage crisis reminds Japan it is a target

TOKYO: Japan's hostage crisis is a stark reminder that Tokyo's deep pockets and alliance with the US make it a target for Islamist militants, analysts say, even if the nation considers itself far removed from Middle Eastern conflicts.

Japan has been rocked by a video in which a black-clad jihadist from the Islamic State (IS) group demands $200 million for the lives of freelance journalist Kenji Goto and self-employed contractor Haruna Yukawa.