Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed outrage and demanded on Wednesday that Islamic State extremists release a Japanese journalist, as secret talks in Jordan sought the release of the Japanese and a Jordanian pilot also being held hostage. The effort to free Japanese freelance journalist Kenji Goto and Jordanian lt Mu’ath al-Kaseasbeh gained urgency with the release of an apparent ultimatum late on Tuesday from the Islamic State group. “This was an extremely despicable act and we feel strong indignation. We strongly condemn that,” Abe said.