Statement by the Press Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan on the suicide bombing in the city of Basra in the south of Iraq

January 15, 2012
Japanese

Japan has been greatly shocked and felt indignant at suicide bombing targeting Shiite pilgrims on the outskirts of the city of Basra in the south of Iraq January 15, which caused many deaths and injuries. Japan expresses its deepest condolences for those who have been killed in the attack and their bereaved families.
Terrorism cannot be justified for any reason, and Japan condemns these atrocious acts of terrorism that indiscriminately target innocent people.
It should not be allowed that terrorists take advantage of current Iraqi political crisis. Japan hopes that the Iraqi Government and its people overcome the differences of ethnicity, religion, political belief and partisanship, and make efforts for stabilization of the security situation and reconstructing its economy, while promoting national reconciliation. Japan will continue to proactively support such efforts by Iraq.

(*This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original version in Japanese.)

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