This still image taken from a video posted on YouTube by jihadists on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015, shows a still photo of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto holding what appears to be a photo of Jordanian pilot 1st Lt. Mu'ath al-Kaseasbeh. Both are being held hostage by the Islamic State militant group. The still image was overdubbed with audio in which Goto delivers a message from the militants demanding the release of Sajida al-Rishawi, an Iraqi woman sentenced to death in Jordan for involvement in a 2005 terror attack that killed 60 people. The Arabic subtitle reads "I only have 24 hours left to live." The Associated Press could not independently verify the video. (Youtube)
YOKOHAMA, Japan — The United States joined Japan’s allies Saturday in condemning the apparent execution of freelance journalist Kenji Goto by the Islamic State group.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel offered condolences on behalf of the U.S. military soon after the release of a video on the Internet that purportedly showed the beheading of Goto, 47.
“Like many of his journalist colleagues, Mr. Goto went to dangerous places to tell stories that needed to be told,” Hagel said in the statement.
“His murder, which follows that of his countryman Haruna Yukawa, reminds the world of the threat we confront in the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), while it reinforces our global coalition’s commitment to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL.
“The United States and its military will continue to stand alongside our Japanese allies, and we send our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Goto’s loved ones and all the people of Japan.”
Goto, an experienced journalist who had made multiple trips to Syria to cover the conflict there, had traveled there this time in a bid to help free Yukawa, a friend from previous travels.
The White House condemned Goto’s death as a “heinous murder” and applauded Japan’s contributions to refugee aid in the Middle East.
“Through his reporting, Mr. Goto courageously sought to convey the plight of the Syrian people to the outside world,” according to the statement. “Our thoughts are with Mr. Goto’s family and loved ones, and we stand today in solidarity with Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe and the Japanese people in denouncing this barbaric act.”
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who supports U.S. operations targeted at the Islamic State group, called the act the latest in a string of atrocities by the militants during a press conference Sunday.
"This just demonstrates how important it is that all countries do what they reasonably can to disrupt and degrade this death cult, which has ushered in a new dark age over parts of the Middle East," Abbott said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the United Kingdom stood united with Japan, and called Goto’s death “a reminder that ISIL is the embodiment of evil, with no regard for human life.”
Slavin.erik@stripes.com; Twitter:@eslavin_stripes
