Japan-United States of America Relations
Address by Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Okamoto at the Joint Japan-US Commemorative Ceremony of the Battle of Iwo Jima
March 24, 2018
On behalf of Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, I would like to offer a few words here at the Japan-US Reunion of Honor Ceremony.
First of all, giving thought to this field where the harshest battles in world history were fought toward the end of World War II, I would like to offer my deepest respect to the souls of the Japanese and American soldiers who fell in battle to protect their respective countries and to save their own families' lives, and express my sincere condolences to the bereaved families.
Today, I renewed my belief that peace and prosperity, which Japan and the United States now enjoy, were made possible based on the important sacrifice of the deceased in war and the unceasing efforts by the people of our two countries.
Since the end of World War II, under our mutual, fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and rule of law, Japan and the United States have overcome our tragic history and built a strong and solid Japan-US alliance hand in hand.
Facing the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan and the region, as can be seen from the rapid nuclear and missile development in North Korea, the strong and solid Japan-US alliance has become even more important for the peace and stability of this region.
Here at the Iwo-To, the fiercest battle field between Japan and the United States in World War II, I firmly believe that this ceremony, where Japanese and American veterans, the bereaved families and others concerned get together, demonstrates the power of reconciliation and the strong ties between Japan and the United States.
I would like to close my remarks by offering my heartfelt gratitude to the hosts of today's ceremony, the Iwo-To Association of Japan and the Iwo Jima Association of America, to those whose support made possible this ceremony today. I would once again like to pray for the souls of the deceased as well as resolve to pass on to future generations this firm pledge of eternal peace and my best wishes for the health and well-being of everyone.
First of all, giving thought to this field where the harshest battles in world history were fought toward the end of World War II, I would like to offer my deepest respect to the souls of the Japanese and American soldiers who fell in battle to protect their respective countries and to save their own families' lives, and express my sincere condolences to the bereaved families.
Today, I renewed my belief that peace and prosperity, which Japan and the United States now enjoy, were made possible based on the important sacrifice of the deceased in war and the unceasing efforts by the people of our two countries.
Since the end of World War II, under our mutual, fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and rule of law, Japan and the United States have overcome our tragic history and built a strong and solid Japan-US alliance hand in hand.
Facing the increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan and the region, as can be seen from the rapid nuclear and missile development in North Korea, the strong and solid Japan-US alliance has become even more important for the peace and stability of this region.
Here at the Iwo-To, the fiercest battle field between Japan and the United States in World War II, I firmly believe that this ceremony, where Japanese and American veterans, the bereaved families and others concerned get together, demonstrates the power of reconciliation and the strong ties between Japan and the United States.
I would like to close my remarks by offering my heartfelt gratitude to the hosts of today's ceremony, the Iwo-To Association of Japan and the Iwo Jima Association of America, to those whose support made possible this ceremony today. I would once again like to pray for the souls of the deceased as well as resolve to pass on to future generations this firm pledge of eternal peace and my best wishes for the health and well-being of everyone.