Japanese Defense Minister expresses his appreciation

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  • By Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii --  Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa voiced his gratitude to members of the U.S. military April 4, for their involvement in supporting the Japan Self Defense Forces' search and rescue, and other relief efforts in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

"Please allow me, at the outset, to express my heartfelt appreciation and admiration to each and every U.S. service member that came to the aid of the victims of the March 11 Great Tohoku-Kanto Disaster," Mr. Kitazawa said. "The incredible support that you are providing are touching the victims that are still suffering from a feeling of great loss and sorrow. No time like the present have I've felt the United States, our ally, as a reliable partner, and have I felt so proud of our alliance with the United States."

The United States Forces has extended assistance to the disaster hit areas in various ways, he said. "For instance, you are helping to clean up schools that are covered by mud by the Tsunami, so that the students can come back for the new school year. Your warm help will be cherished and engraved in the hearts and soul of the Japanese people. More than three weeks have passed since the disaster. Our humanitarian and disaster relief efforts are about to transition to a phase to a mid to long term activities focused on rehabilitation and reconstruction." 

"It is my sincere wish that those of you who will depart from the relief efforts to assume a new mission, to leave with a feeling of utmost pride, for taking part in a noble operation such as Operation Tomodachi," Mr. Kitazawa said. "And for those of you who will continue to provide assistance, I again wish to express my deepest appreciation for your contribution."

"Disaster can destroy human life and property, but it cannot destroy the human spirit; this is what Ambassador Roos said when he visited the disaster hit elementary school, Watanoha, in Ishinomaki City." Mr. Kitazawa said. "The Ambassador's remark will be long remembered in the history of Japan-U.S. relations as a message that tied the hearts and souls of the survivors and their lost loved ones."

In closing, Mr. Kitazawa said the on going Japan-U.S. joint relief operation in tackling this unprecedented crisis that the country is now facing, will be long remembered in the memories of both the Japanese and American people. "I am convinced that our joint efforts today will lead to further deepening of the Japan-U.S. Alliance."

Pacific Air Forces Airmen have generated more than 400 aircraft missions and delivered approximately seven million pounds of cargo as of April 6, 2010, in support of Operation Tomodachi, meaning friend.