As we conduct this Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 74th Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa, I wish to express my heartfelt mourning for the souls of those who perished on the battlefields as well as those who died suffering the ravages of war during the Battle of Okinawa.

During World War II, Okinawa was the scene of an exceedingly fierce ground battle. Two hundred thousand precious lives were lost and Okinawa’s natural beauty and rich culture, both sources of great pride, were mercilessly destroyed. It pains me greatly when I think of the regrets of all the fallen, the unspeakable grief of their bereaved families, and the deep and unhealing wounds Okinawa sustained.

Seventy-four years have passed since the Battle of Okinawa. I bow my head silently, giving profound consideration to the futures that each of the fallen should have experienced and reflecting solemnly once again on the fact that the peace and prosperity we enjoy in the present day rests atop these precious sacrifices.

Since the end of the war, Japan has consistently and earnestly walked the path of a nation that values peace. We will never repeat the horrors of war. In the era of Reiwa too, this vow will never change. I vowed once more to the souls of the fallen that we will be tireless in our efforts to build a new era that is peaceful and brimming with hope.

For many years, the concentration of U.S. military bases has heavily impacted the people of Okinawa. The current situation absolutely must be changed. In order to lessen the impact of the U.S. forces, the government is determined to deliver results one by one in a steady manner.

The site of the West Futenma Housing Area that was returned last year is the first large-scale site to be transferred on the basis of the plan of land returns south of Kadena. We will accelerate our measures to make use of the site so that the people of Okinawa feel tangibly that this is a successful example of former base sites being reborn.

We will continue to make every effort to mitigate impact on Okinawa under the principles of “doing everything possible” and “delivering in a visible way.”

Okinawa, blessed with natural beauty and situated as a gateway to Asia, is today fully harnessing those advantages and potential, achieving dramatic development. Its birthrate is the highest in Japan and the number of tourists visiting, charmed by Okinawa, reached approximately 10 million people in fiscal 2018, topping the record for the sixth consecutive year. Okinawa is now poised to drive Japan and to assume the position of a bridge to the world as “The Bridge of Nations” of the 21st century. In order to accelerate this trend further, I will lead the efforts to resolutely advance the development of Okinawa.

I will conclude my address by praying that the souls of those who lost their lives here may rest in peace and by offering my sincere wishes for the peace of the bereaved families of the war dead.