The Japanese government is trying to verify a video claiming one of its citizens held hostage by Islamic State has been killed.
The jihadist group had threatened to kill Haruna Yukawa and fellow captive Kenji Goto unless a $200m (£133m) ransom was paid to secure their release.
The 72-hour deadline set by IS expired on Friday.
A clip has now been released online purportedly of journalist Mr Goto claiming private military company operator Mr Yukawa has been killed.
But there was some confusion as a report from the Japanese Times said the two were still alive.
In the video, which has not been verified, Mr Goto said IS had dropped its demand for money and now wanted the release of a female alleged attempted suicide bomber being held in Jordan.
Japanese cabinet ministers were holding an emergency meeting about the new message apparently from the jihadist group.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the release of the message was "an outrageous and unforgivable act".
"We demand their immediate release."
Kyodo News agency said the same video has been emailed to the wife of one of the hostages.
Earlier, the mother of Mr Goto pleaded with militants to spare her son's life.
Junko Ishido said he is a friend of Islam who devoted his life to helping children in war zones.
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