– Whilst the news of Kenji Goto’s execution broke on Sunday morning, papers didn’t have time to react to the news until Monday’s editions, you can read the more focused pieces on the outcome of the crisis in the weekend wrap.
– A top Japanese lawmaker is quoted in The Japan Times as saying Japan “was incompetent” during the negotiations. But the fallout will have massive implications for Japan’s constitution and possibly Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s leadership.
Abe defended his and his administration’s handling of the crisis, meanwhile Japan’s police chief has ordered a probe into the handling of the crisis.
The Japan News transcribed Abe’s response to the release of the video, where he vows “Japan will never give in to terrorism”, with Japanese government committed to delivering on its pledged-aid to the Middle East.
– An old tweet by Goto is spreading across Japanese social media, at the same time Jordanians took to the streets last night for a vigil for Goto.
– General Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told the press the Japanese government will be increasing security, home and abroad, whilst ensuring the safety of the journalists currently near the Syrian / Turkish border where the swap was set to take place.
– The Japanese arm of Swiss pharmaceutical company, Novartis, may be faced with a business suspension for 15 days by order of the nation’s health minister after failing to disclose side effects caused by its drugs.
