The deadline set by Islamist militants threatening to kill two Japanese men unless they were given $US200 million has passed, with one captive's mother making a desperate plea to spare her son's life.
Japan had heard nothing from the extremists holding Kenji Goto, a freelance journalist, or Haruna Yukawa, the self-employed contractor he had gone to rescue, the chief government spokesman said on Friday.
"There has been no message" from the Islamic State group since the 72-hour deadline expired at 2.50pm (1650 AEDT) on Friday, Yoshihide Suga told reporters.
"The situation remains very severe, but the government is making its utmost efforts, asking and asking for co-operation from many countries and heads of ethnic groups."
Reporters waiting for any announcement on the two men's fate said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe looked tired and drawn as he rushed from one commitment to the next.
Hours earlier, Junko Ishido launched an emotional appeal for mercy for Goto, her son.
"I say to you people of the Islamic State, Kenji is not your enemy. Please release him," she said.
"Kenji was always saying 'I hope to save lives of children on battlefields'. He was reporting war from a neutral position."
The high drama in Tokyo comes three days after the sudden release by the Islamic State group of a video in which Goto and Yukawa, apparently kneeling in the desert, are threatened with execution by a British-accented man.
"You now have 72 hours to pressure your government into making a wise decision by paying the $US200 million ($A248.23 million) to save the lives of your citizens," he says.
The Islamists linked the ransom to the amount of cash Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would be earmarking to help countries dealing with the influx of refugees fleeing fighting between IS and regular forces.
Asked by a journalist if she thinks Tokyo should pay the ransom, as it has in previous hostage situations, Ishido said: "Yes, I very much hope so.
"Japan has maintained a friendly relationship with Islamic nations.
"The time remaining is scarce. I beg you Japanese government officials, please save Kenji's life."
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters on Friday morning that the government was still making every effort to secure the hostages' release.
"We have received offers of co-operation from various countries," he said. "We are continuing to analyse information."
Asked whether Japan would pay the ransom, Kishida demurred.
"We will not give in to terrorism. We will fight against terrorism in co-operation with other countries," he said.
NHK reported early on Friday it had a text and audio exchange with a "public relations" official from the Islamic State group.
The representative was quoted as saying: "Japanese are infidels fighting against Islamic State."
Asked about the Japanese efforts to negotiate the release of the two hostages, he said "We cannot answer that because it isn't a good question.
"A statement will come out sometime later," he said, without giving further details.
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