I extend my deepest condolences, on behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense, to the family of Kenji Goto. Like many of his journalist colleagues, Mr. Goto went to dangerous places to tell stories that needed to be told. 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.