On Sunday, nearly 200 people attended a prayer meeting for Goto and his family, said Kazuto Takahashi, pastor at the United Church of Christ in Japan in Denenchofu, Tokyo, where Goto was a member.

Apparent death of kidnapped journalist follows days of back-door negotiations between Islamic State and government Shinzo Abe

"This act of terrorism is outrageous and unforgivable violence. I feel strong anger and firmly condemn it," Japanese prime minister Abe told reporters Saturday, he also demands the immediate release of Goto.

Kenji Goto Jogo, one of the two Japanese hostages taken by Islamic State in Syria, is a Christian who “has a strong sense of justice”, according to former pastor H. Tamura.