Barack Obama, President has offered consolation to  Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister over the murder of a Japanese national by the Islamic State group.

The White House says Obama talked to Abe from India. Obama arrived there Sunday morning for a three-day visit. In an earlier statement, Obama condemned the ''brutal murder'' of Japanese citizen Haruna Yukawa. Obama's affirmation didn't say how the U.S. knew Yukawa was dead. The Japanese government is reviewing an online video that purports to show his death. Obama says in the statement that the United States will be "shoulder to shoulder'' with Japan. The White House says he also sent that message to Abe during their conversation. Obama also called for the instant release of a second Japanese hostage being held by the militants.