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| Top What's up around the Prime Minister August, 2004 |
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Prime Minister Attends Memorial Service for the War Dead
Click photographs to enlarge The annual Government-sponsored Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead was held in the Nippon Budokan Hall, Tokyo. On this fifty-ninth anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific, approximately 7,000 people attended from various regions, including members of families of the war dead and representatives of various fields, despite the rain. The service was conducted in the presence of Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress. After singing the national anthem, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi delivered an address saying, "Looking back on the past with humility, I will not let the lesson learned from the tragedy of war fade with time and firmly maintain the nation's antiwar pledge, dedicated to the construction of Japan as a peaceful nation. Japan will further develop its friendly relations with countries all over the world, and as a member of the international community, actively contribute to establishing lasting world peace. I will exert all my efforts so that Japan will gain further trust from the world as a country that treasures peace." 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 Councillors, 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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| Link: | Address by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the 59th Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead |