Japan says it will never give in to terrorism _ aid but no troops to fight terrorist groups

UNITED NATIONS – Japan says it will never give in to terrorism and will continue providing non-military assistance for the fight against the Islamic State and other extremist groups — but not military troops or equipment "at this point."

Japan sent Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura to the United Nations Thursday to deliver the message that following the "outrageous and inhumane" beheading of two Japanese hostages by Islamic State fighters "we will stand resolutely as a member of the international community combating terrorism."

Kawamura said Japan intends to exercise leadership to increase international coordination in tackling terrorism, noting that it will head the the G-7 group of major economies in 2016.

Japan until recently had not become directly involved in the violence surrounding Islamic State militants.