Press Releases

On November 19, around 5:25 a.m., as a U.S. Marine member, driving under the influence of alcohol, collided with a vehicle driven by a Japanese man, this Japanese was killed by this incident. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan, expressed its deep regret over this incident and requested that discipline would be strengthened and that measures would be taken to prevent recurrence to Mr. Joseph YOUNG, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, as well as Maj.Gen. Charles G. CHIAROTTI, Deputy Commander of the U.S. forces, Japan. In response to this, the U.S. side expressed its condolence and apology.

In the afternoon on the same day, based on the direction from Foreign Minister Taro KONO, currently in visit to Bangladesh, Mr. Shinsuke SUGIYAMA, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, conveyed the same message to H.E. Mr. William HAGERTY, U.S. Ambassador to Japan. In response to this, Ambassador Hagerty expressed condolence and apology saying that he would like to convey the feeling of condolence to the victim killed in this tragic incident as well as his family. Furthermore, Ambassador Hagerty told that the U.S. side would make utmost efforts for cooperation on the investigation and the recurrence prevention.