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| Top What's up around the Prime Minister August, 2003 |
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Prime Minister Attends Memorial Service
for the War Dead
On the fifty-eighth anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific, the annual Government-sponsored Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead was held in the Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo, in the presence of Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress. Approximately 6,000 people attended from various regions, including members of families of the war dead and representatives of various fields, even though it was raining heavily. After singing the national anthem, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi delivered an address saying, "Looking back on the past with humility, as well as firmly maintaining the nation's antiwar pledge never to repeat war, I will exert all my efforts so that Japan can further develop its friendly relations with countries all over the world, and actively contribute to establishing lasting world peace as a member of the international community." As the clock struck noon, heartfelt prayers were offered to more than three million war dead for the repose of their souls. Following the address of His Majesty The Emperor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the House of Councilors, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the representatives of the members of families of the war dead each gave their memorial address. After the addresses, representatives of various fields led by Prime Minister Koizumi and representatives of the members of families of the war dead offered flowers while commemorating the war dead.
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