Washington (AP) Jan. 31, 2015 — President Barack Obama is calling the slaying of a Japanese journalist by an Islamic State militant a “heinous murder” and declaring that the United States stands in solidarity with the Japanese people in denouncing a “barbaric act.”
The White House says that while it isn`t confirming the authenticity of the video itself, it has confirmed that Goto has been slain.
Goto had been captured in October while in Syria trying to win the release of a colleague reportedly killed earlier this month.
In his statement, Obama calls Goto courageous and says the U.S. applauds Japan`s steadfast commitment to advancing peace and prosperity in the Middle East as well as around the world.