Tokyo: A video released by the Islamic State (IS) militant group Saturday claimed one of the two Japanese hostages held by it was beheaded, according to media reports. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned the possible execution, and called it "an unforgivable act of violence".

The government said it was verifying the video, which claimed that Japanese hostage Haruna Yukawa was executed by the IS, according to a BBC report.