After some confusion, the Japanese government has finally identified a recently discovered corpse in Iraq as that of 24-year-old Shosei Koda, a Japanese national believed to have been taken hostage by Iraqi insurgents.

Officials said Sunday that fingerprints confirmed the identity of the beheaded body, found by Iraqi police in Baghdad on Saturday.

On Tuesday, a group identifying itself as part of the Al Qaeda terrorist network, said in a video posted on the Internet that it would kill Mr. Koda unless Japan withdrew its troops from Iraq within 48 hours.

The militant group is believed to be led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who has claimed responsibility for similar killings of foreigners earlier.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi condemned the killing and vowed to continue the country’s fight against terrorism. He said the murder would not affect Japan’s ongoing efforts to assist in the rebuilding of Iraq.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s foreign ministry issued a statement conveying its condolences over the death of the hostage.