On February 1, 2015 at the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Abe convened a meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Warning of Japanese Nationals' Murder in Syria. 
The Prime Minister made the following remarks in his opening statement there.
“A video purporting to show that Mr. Kenji Goto was murdered was uploaded on line, following Mr. Haruna Yukawa. When I think about the unbearable pain and sorrow that his family must be feeling, I am rendered simply speechless.
As a government, we have pursued every possible means to save their lives. We feel greatest sorrow and profound grief. This kind of outcome was truly unfortunate. 
I am infuriated by these inhumane and despicable acts of terrorism, and resolutely condemn these impermissible and outrageous acts. I will never forgive these terrorists. I will work with the international community to hold them responsible for their deplorable acts.
Japan will never give in to terrorism. We will further expand our humanitarian assistance in the Middle East in areas such as food and medical care. Japan will steadfastly fulfill its responsibility in the international community combatting terrorism.
I ask each of you to continue to strengthen cooperation with relevant countries as you work to gather and synthesize information further and to continue to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals both domestically and abroad.  I also ask that you work to make Japan even more proactively engaged in international efforts to fight terrorism.”