Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the fifth meeting of the Response Headquarters for the Japanese Nationals Abducted in Algeria at the Prime Minister's Office.

In the opening address, the Prime Minister said,

"Yesterday, we encountered information suggesting a harsh view on the safety of the Japanese nationals, provided by the government of Algeria.
I myself had a telephone talk with Prime Minister Sellal of Algeria last night, exchanging information directly and requesting cooperation in the work of confirming the safety of Japanese nationals.
There was a comment from the Prime Minister that he will give full cooperation.
At the actual working site, under the initiative of Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Minoru Kiuchi, I would like you to unite efforts in taking every possible measure to confirm the safety of Japanese nationals and implement prompt rescue. In addition, I would like to ask for every possible effort to be made continuously in providing support considering the feelings of the people who suffered damages and their family members."