IS group demands $200m ransom

An online video released on Tuesday purported to show the Islamic State group threatening to kill two Japanese hostages unless a $200 million ransom is received in the next 72 hours.

The video, identified as being made by the group's al-Furqan media arm and posted on militant websites associated with the extremist group, mirrored other hostage threats it has made.

The militant featured in the video also directly addresses Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is on a six-day visit to the Middle East with more than 100 government officials and presidents of Japanese companies.