An online video is purporting to show Islamic State group militants beheading Japanese journalist Kenji Goto.
The video, released late today, shows a militant with a British accent beheading Mr Goto.
The video, released via militant websites, bore the symbols of previous Islamic State group videos.
It could not be immediately independently confirmed.
Japan's deputy foreign minister, Yasuhide Nakayama, said late yesterday that efforts to free Mr Goto were "in a state of deadlock".