Japan held hostage by Abe's more 'proactive' security policies

Tokyo

PRIME Minister Shinzo Abe's push for Japan to make a "proactive contribution to peace" is having unexpected and unwelcome consequences, as the fate of two Japanese nationals - believed captured by Islamic State militants and threatened with execution unless ransoms are paid - hangs in the balance.

In an online video posted on Tuesday, the Islamic State group threatened to kill the two men - freelance journalist Kenji Goto and private security contractor Haruna Yukawa - within 72 hours unless Japan paid a ransom of US$200 million.

The sum corresponds to the…