NYタイムズ：「日本の戦死者」安藤・駐NY日本総領事

The New York Times
Letters
November 14, 2005
Japan's War Dead

To the Editor:

Re "Pointless Provocation in Tokyo" (editorial, Oct. 18), about Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine:

Mr. Koizumi's visit was not to worship the Class A war criminals who were given the verdict of guilty by the International Tribunal for the Far East, to glorify Japan's past militarism, or to accommodate right-wing nationalists.

His purpose, as he clearly stated, was to mourn the war dead, to appreciate their sacrifices that helped to make Japan's peace and prosperity possible today, and to renew his vow for peace. These were his sole intentions.

Prime Minister Koizumi has expressed his heartfelt apology for Japan's wartime aggression, which caused tremendous suffering to the people of many countries, particularly those of neighboring Asian countries.

Hiroyasu Ando
Ambassador and Consul General of Japan
New York, Oct. 24, 2005

♪　「ご乱心のバカ殿」の尻拭いをさせられるＮＹ総領事ってつらい仕事です。