Kenji Goto ISIS Beheading Condemned By Japan, World Leaders

Japan and world leaders condemned on Sunday the beheading of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto by the Islamic State with President Obama calling it a "barbaric act."

ISIS uploaded a video purportedly showing the decapitated body of Goto, who went to Syria last October to negotiate for the release of fellow Japanese Haruna Yukawa but was held captive by the Islamist extremists.

In the video, a masked man with a knife said, "To the Japanese government. You, like your foolish allies in the satanic coalition, have yet to understand that we, by Allah's grace, are a large Islamic caliphate with authority and power and an entire army thirsty for your blood."

He told Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that "because of your decision to take part in an unwinnable war, this knife will not only slaughter Kenji but will carry on and also cause carnage wherever your people are found. So let the nightmare for Japan begin."

Last week, Abe said Japan "will, in its entirety, do its utmost in order to have him released."

"The Government of Japan will never give in to terrorism, and actively contribute to the peace and stability of the world together with the international community in an unwavering manner," he said.

ISIS had demanded that Jordan release Iraqi militant Sajida al-Rishawi in exchange for the release of Goto.

After the beheading video was released, Abe told Japanese media that he "was absolutely outraged by this inhumane, horrendous, completely horrendous act of terrorism."

"I will never forgive these terrorists," said Abe, according to NHK, vowing to make the ISIS pay.

Obama said, "The United States condemns the heinous murder of Japanese citizen and journalist Kenji Goto by the terrorist group ISIL."

The American president shared his grief with Goto's family and Japan. "Our thoughts are with Mr. Goto's family and loved ones, and we stand today in solidarity with Prime Minister Abe and the Japanese people in denouncing this barbaric act. We applaud Japan's steadfast commitment to advancing peace and prosperity in the Middle East and globally, including its generous assistance for innocent people affected by the conflicts in the region," he said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said, "I utterly condemn what appears to be the despicable and appalling murder of Kenji Goto. It is a further reminder that ISIL is the embodiment of evil, with no regard for human life."

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot said the beheading will be a terrible shock for the people of Japan, an unspeakable horror for the family and 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."