WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is calling the slaying of a Japanese journalist by an Islamic State militant a "heinous murder" and declaring that the United States stands in solidarity with the Japanese people in denouncing a "barbaric act."

An online video released Saturday purports to show the beheading of journalist Kenji Goto. The White House says that while it isn't confirming the authenticity of the video itself, it has confirmed that Goto has been slain.

Goto had been captured in October while in Syria trying to win the release of a colleague reportedly killed earlier this month.

In his statement, Obama calls Goto courageous and says the U.S. applauds Japan's steadfast commitment to advancing peace and prosperity in the Middle East as well as around the world.