Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi will address the Iraqi armed group early Sunday, callingfor the release of three abducted Japanese nationals, said the Foreign Ministry.

The video was recorded Saturday and is expected to be sent to the entire world by satellite world offer at around 3:00 a.m. (1800 GMT) on April 11, said the ministry in a statement.

In the message, Kawaguchi said "the people of Japan are shockedand angry that these people have been taken as hostage," noting the three are "private individuals, and friends of Iraq."

One of the hostages, Nahoko Takato, "has worked for medical care and education for children." Noriaki Imai, 18, "has tackled the issue of damages from the war to the Iraqi people." Soichiro Koriyama "is a freelance journalist who has reported on the daily life of the people of Iraq to Japan."

"The people of Japan and I strongly demand for an immediate andsafe release of the three hostages," the message said.

The group, known as Saraya-Al-Mujahedeen, threatened to kill the Japanese if Tokyo does not withdraw the Self-Defense Forces troops before a three-day deadline believed to be at about 21:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) on Sunday.

The Japanese government said it has yet to establish a contact with the kidnappers, and vowed not to pull troops out of Iraq.

Source: Xinhua