Japan-Italy Relations
Letters of Condolences by Prime Minister KISHIDA and Foreign Minister KAMIKAWA on the Passing of Former President Sen. Giorgio Napolitano of the Italian Republic
September 23, 2023
- On September 23, following the passing of Sen. Giorgio Napolitano, former President of the Italian Republic on the same day, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, issued a letter of condolences respectively to H.E. Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic and H.E. Ms. Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic.
In these letters, Prime Minister Kishida stated that he is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former President Napolitano and he extended his heartfelt condolences to the Italian Republic and the Italian people on behalf of the Government and people of Japan.
Prime Minister Kishida also expressed his sincere respect for the former President’s efforts in developing relations between Japan and Italy, touching upon the former President’s visit to Japan in 2009 and his attendance at the first anniversary commemorative service held in Rome after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. - On the same day, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, issued a letter of condolences to H.E. Mr. Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic.
In the letter, Foreign Minister Kamikawa expressed her sincere condolences to the Italian Republic and the Italian people on the news of the passing of former President Napolitano. Minister Kamikawa noted that former President Napolitano played a major role in the development of friendly relations between Japan and Italy, including his words of sympathy following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 and his strong message during the first anniversary commemorative service, which greatly encouraged Japan as a whole. Minister Kamikawa also paid tribute to the achievements of former President Napolitano who was the first president elected for two terms in the history of the Republic and was highly respected by Italian people.