Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� January, 2002

Patrol Vessel Commanding Officer's Report on the Incident Involving the Unidentified Ship Tuesday, January 22, 2002 (Photograph by Jiji Press) At the Prime Minister's Official Residence, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received a report from the commanding officer of a patrol vessel, which responded to an incident involving an unidentified ship in the waters off the southwest coast of Kyushu in December 2001. Prime Minister Koizumi, joined by Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Chikage Ogi, met with the commanding officers of four patrol vessels, including Commanding Officer Masao Kurusu of the Patrol Vessel Amami, from the Naze Coast Guard Office of the 10th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters. The Prime Minister received a report on the situation in the sea area at the time of the incident and the response by the patrol vessels and other relevant matters. The Prime Minister praised the commanding officers for their efforts.