Sunday, 23 September, 2001
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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi attended a Ceremony for All Victims of Terrorist Attacks in the U.S., held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (Tokyo Big Sight) in Ariake, Tokyo.
This ceremony was held jointly by the Government of Japan and the America-Japan Society Inc., in order to offer condolences to all those who lost their lives in the series of terrorist attacks on the United States and also to offer thoughts and prayers for those who are still missing that they may be rescued safely, and to offer thoughts to the bereaved families and the families of the victims and the missing. Approximately 2,000 people attended the ceremony, including former Japanese Ambassador to the United States and Chairman of the America-Japan Society Yoshio Okawara, United States Ambassador to Japan Howard H. Baker, and Chairman of the Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. At the ceremony, Prime Minister Koizumi stated, "These terrorist attacks are a serious challenge not only to the United States, but to the freedom, peace and democracy themselves. We must stand up with firm resolve to strive for the eradication of terrorism, together with other nations of the world." The Prime Minister further stated, "I express my deepest condolences for all those who were killed as a result of these acts of terrorism." |