Japan is reeling in the wake of yesterday's video showing the apparent beheading of journalist Kenji Goto, as an ISIS militant threatened "let the nightmare for Japan begin." "We are deeply saddened by this despicable and horrendous act of terrorism, and we denounce it in the strongest terms," said Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, as per CNN. "To the terrorists, we will never, never forgive them for this act." Yet the nation remained defiant, with Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga saying Japan "would like to expand our support for refugees"—the very stance for which ISIS blamed Goto's execution—and Abe vowing, as per the BBC, that his country "would not give in to terrorism."
Perhaps also telling is the reaction of the parents: "I'm shedding tears of sorrow," says Goto's mom. "But I don't want this sorrow to create a chain of hatred." "He tried to save my son," wept the father of Goto's slain fellow hostage Haruna Yukawa. "People killing other people—it's so deplorable. How can this be happening?" While the video has yet to be verified, no one is questioning its authenticity, and the AP notes that the White House is confirming that Goto is dead. President Obama released a statement applauding "Japan's steadfast commitment to advancing peace." Meanwhile, Jordan is still scrambling to secure the release of its pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh, notes the BBC; there was no mention of his fate in the latest video. The country today renewed its offer of a prisoner swap, reports the AP. (More Japan stories.)
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