The Japanese Government Is Looking Into An ISIS Voice Recording With Another Ominous Deadline

TOKYO (Reuters) - The Japanese government is analyzing a purported new voice recording in which a Japanese journalist held captive by Islamic State says a Jordanian pilot also in their custody will be killed if a swap for a would-be suicide bomber is not carried out by sunset on Thursday, a spokesman for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's office said.

Jordan said on Wednesday it had received no assurance that one of its pilots captured by Islamic State insurgents was safe and that it would go ahead with a proposed prisoner swap only if he was freed.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday Japan strongly condemns terrorism and will continue to cooperate closely with the international community in measures to combat terrorism.

He made the comments in parliament after a spokesman for his office said the government was analyzing the purported new voice recording.