U.S. ambassador and Japanese foreign minister reflect on Hiroshima visit by Obama
Jun. 2, 2016
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
On June 1, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conveyed his gratitude to Ms. Kennedy regarding the visit by President Barack Obama to Hiroshima on May 27, saying that the ambassador provided him with helpful advice and assistance in a range of ways. Ms. Kennedy responded by saying that the visit was significant for the president personally and for the United States and Japan as well.
Ms. Kennedy reportedly offered her opinion to the president on visiting the A-bombed city, which lent support to the realization of the idea. In her meeting with Mr. Kishida, the ambassador said that she was grateful for the warm welcome given to the president by the people of Hiroshima and that she knew Mr. Kishida made his utmost efforts to ensure the success of the visit. Ms. Kennedy also expressed her view that the visit would strengthen ties between the two nations, saying that this would pave the way for the next stage in the U.S. and Japan alliance.
Referring to remarks made by Mr. Obama in Hiroshima, Mr. Kishida stressed that the visit would serve as a start for further progress. He said, in earnest tones, that Japan was willing to work with the United States to advance a world without nuclear weapons.
(Originally published on June 2, 2016)
On June 1, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conveyed his gratitude to Ms. Kennedy regarding the visit by President Barack Obama to Hiroshima on May 27, saying that the ambassador provided him with helpful advice and assistance in a range of ways. Ms. Kennedy responded by saying that the visit was significant for the president personally and for the United States and Japan as well.
Ms. Kennedy reportedly offered her opinion to the president on visiting the A-bombed city, which lent support to the realization of the idea. In her meeting with Mr. Kishida, the ambassador said that she was grateful for the warm welcome given to the president by the people of Hiroshima and that she knew Mr. Kishida made his utmost efforts to ensure the success of the visit. Ms. Kennedy also expressed her view that the visit would strengthen ties between the two nations, saying that this would pave the way for the next stage in the U.S. and Japan alliance.
Referring to remarks made by Mr. Obama in Hiroshima, Mr. Kishida stressed that the visit would serve as a start for further progress. He said, in earnest tones, that Japan was willing to work with the United States to advance a world without nuclear weapons.
(Originally published on June 2, 2016)
