One of the two Japanese hostages held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Kenji Goto Jogo, is a Christian journalist who "possesses a strong sense of justice," former pastor Hiroshi Tamura told Japan Times.
Tamura is the former pastor of Denenchofu Church of the United Church of Christ, where Goto attended. He had nothing but praises for the captured journalist, who he said was strongly committed to covering the stark realities happening in the Middle East despite its dangers.
"Goto is devoted to reporting what should be reported with a firm conviction," Tamura said. "He has a strong sense of justice and he has always been conscious of vulnerable people, including children."
The Japanese journalist became a Christian and was baptized during the 1990s.
Goto, together with other hostage Haruna Yukawa, was shown in the latest video made by ISIS kneeling down and wearing orange jumpsuits. In between them was a man with a British accent believed to be Jihadist John.
The lives of both men hang in the balance unless the Japanese government agree to pay $200 million, which is equal to the donation made by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to areas affected by ISIS.
"To the prime minister of Japan: Although you are more than 8,500 km away from the Islamic State, you willingly have volunteered to take part in this crusade," said the masked man in the video.
He said that Japanese citizens must stop being "foolish" in supporting the United States and its campaign against ISIS. He gave Abe 72 hours to make a decision and give in to their demands, otherwise, the two hostages will be beheaded.
However, Abe maintains that the money that they donated has nothing to do with ISIS. "We will contribute to the region's peace and stability, in cooperation with the global community," he explained.
"We strongly demand the immediate release of the Japanese citizens unharmed," Abe said. "The international community needs to respond firmly and cooperate without caving into terrorism."
At the same time, Goto ordered his men to do everything they can to save the Japanese hostages.
Goto was reportedly captured by ISIS last October while reporting from Syria, while Yukawa was captured last August as he was travelling with Suqour al-Sham, a Syrian opposition group.
The two men were in the region for different reasons. Goto went there as a journalist and hoped to exposed the truths in Syria, while Yukawa was described by Reuters as "a lost soul" seeking his life's purpose after losing his wife, business and home.
