Prime Minister Hashimoto attended the "Memorial ceremony for Defense Forces servicemen who died during 1997." In his speech of condolence he said:
"They demonstrated to the nation their pride and sense of mission and commitment by sacrificing their lives. We shall make certain that they never died in vain. We will inherit their will and keep up our defense responsibilities."
The number of deaths among Self-Defense Forces in 1997 was 15, 11 more than a year ago, due to accidents in ranger training, amphibious drill and jettison from transport planes.