Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) adjusts a Jewish skullcap during his visit to the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old city January 19, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO - Japanese Foreign Ministry has been in bid to confirm the authenticity of a video released Tuesday by the terror group Islamic State (IS) about two Japanese captives, local media reported on Tuesday.

The IS militants demanded ransom for the two Japanese nationals, a freelancer and a manager of a private armament company.

Local media reports said the release of the video came following the Middle East trip by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who said Japan will provide financial support for the region' s counter-terrorism effort.