1.      I am deeply grieved and saddened at the news of the earthquake that struck Iraq recently, affecting a large number of Iraqis and causing the loss of precious lives.

2.      On behalf of the Government of Japan and the Japanese people, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and express my heartfelt sympathies to all who have been affected.

3.       Japan received a large amount of support and many condolences from Iraq at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Over the years, each country has supported the other in this way whenever a natural disaster has occurred. Japan is ready to provide assistance to Iraq in the form of emergency relief goods and other aid in order to support progress towards reconstruction now moving forward in Iraq.

4.      I pray that activities providing relief to the disaster victims proceed smoothly and that peace and security are restored to the citizens of Iraq as quickly as possible.