Japanese Defense Minister Thanks Reagan Crew
(April 7, 2011) |
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Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa receives honors from sailors upon his arrival aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, April 4, 2011. Kitazawa delivered a message of thanks from Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan for U.S. relief efforts during Operation Tomodachi. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Shawn J. Stewart |
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WASHINGTON, April 4, 2011 –
Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa today
boarded the USS Ronald Reagan to thank U.S.
service members for their help since a magnitude
9.0 earthquake and the tsunami it caused struck
Japan on March 11.
The work of U.S.
service members and other Americans is a
testament to the half century of tomodachi –-
friendship -- between the United States and
Japan, Kitazawa said as he shared a statement
from Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
“To all U.S. military members, on behalf of the
people of Japan, I sincerely express my deep
appreciation for the tremendous support provided
by the U.S. military, the U.S. government and
the American people at a time of unprecedented
crisis in Japan,” |
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Kitazawa said. |
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The USS Ronald Reagan responded immediately after the
disaster, and its sailors, as well as other service members,
continue their humanitarian mission in Japan “with pride and
passion” and “are supporting Japan on an extraordinary
scale,” he said.
As of March 25, more than 1,000
sailors and Marines were deployed in support of Operation
Tomodachi and had flown more than 450 missions for recovery,
transport and supplies distribution, according to the U.S.
embassy officials in Tokyo.
Kitazawa said he received
a call from President Barack Obama right after the
earthquake, pledging American support.
“The entire
Japanese people are deeply moved and encouraged by scenes of
U.S. military members working hard in support of relief
efforts,” he said. “Those in Japan and the United States are
true tomodachi. ... They share basic values such as democracy
and respect for human rights.”
Faced with such a
disaster, Kitazawa said, “in no time like the present do I
feel so strongly about our friendship with the United
States. Your support is a testament of our enduring bond for
more than half a century. Japan, with your continuous
cooperation, is determined to launch a full-scale effort to
overcome these challenges ahead of us.”
U.S.
Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos was part of the delegation
that included senior Japanese military officials aboard USS
Ronald Reagan today.
“Looking out over this
spectacular view, in front of all you great Americans, I am
awed to be here, and I can't tell you how deeply moved I am
by all you've accomplished in the last several weeks,” he
said.
Roos offered U.S. condolences to the Japanese,
noting that he saw the disaster's effects firsthand in
northeastern Japan. “One cannot even begin to imagine the
devastation until you witness it yourself,” he said, “and
even then it's hard to imagine.
“I met with people
who lost almost everything in their lives, including their
loved ones,” he continued. “I could not help but be moved by
their calm dignity and resilient spirit.” |
By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2011 |
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