An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.
Immediate Release

Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the Death of Kenji Goto

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.