NEW DELHI, Jan 25, 2015 (AFP) - US President Barack Obama telephoned Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday to offer condolences and express solidarity after the beheading of a Japanese hostage by Islamic State militants.
Obama, who is currently on a visit to India, called Abe "to offer condolences for the murder ... of Japanese citizen Haruna Yukawa and to convey solidarity with the Japanese people", said a White House statement.
"He also expressed appreciation for Japan's significant contributions of humanitarian assistance to the Middle East region. The two leaders agreed to continue their cooperation on a range of regional and global issues."