Memorial Service for Firefighters Who Lost Their Lives on Duty

On September 10, 2026, Prime Minister Takaichi attended the 45th Memorial Service for Firefighters Who Lost Their Lives on Duty and, before the souls of the 5,799 firefighters enshrined there, expressed her heartfelt respect and gratitude and paid her sincere tribute to them.

The Prime Minister offered a silent prayer and delivered a memorial address, followed by the offering of flowers.

In her memorial address, the Prime Minister said as follows:

(Prime Minister Takaichi) 
On the occasion of the 45th Memorial Service for Firefighters Who Lost Their Lives on Duty, I would like to offer my words of remembrance with the utmost respect.

The four firefighting personnel newly enshrined here fulfilled their responsibilities in firefighting activities and training under the noble resolve that “we ourselves will protect the lives of local residents,” and tragically lost their precious lives in the line of duty.

I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude for the strong sense of mission and courage they demonstrated through their actions, and once again pay my sincere tribute to them.

When I think of the profound grief of the bereaved families who have lost their beloved family members, I am overcome with sorrow. I offer my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families.

In recent years, large-scale forest fires and fires in densely built-up urban areas have occurred in various parts of the country, requiring firefighting capabilities that are both wide-ranging and highly specialized, and making firefighting operations increasingly difficult. In addition, damage caused by heavy rains and typhoons has occurred one after another, while there are also concerns over the occurrence of major earthquakes, including an earthquake directly beneath the Tokyo metropolitan area and a Nankai Trough earthquake.

Under such circumstances, the Japanese people place great trust and expectations in professional and volunteer firefighters, who are among the first to rush to disaster sites and devote themselves to their duties without regard for their own safety.

Reflecting on the precious sacrifices of the 5,799 souls enshrined here and in order to honor their wishes, we will devote our utmost efforts to building a safe and secure country that is resilient to disasters.

In closing, I pray for the repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives in the course of firefighting activities and for the continued good health of their bereaved families.