***MY LETTER TODAY OF CONDOLENCES TO JAPAN EMBASSY OVER TERRORIST KILLINGS IN IRAQ**

AmericanInTokyo ^ | 2 December 2003 | AmericanInTokyo

[AmericanInTokyo]

December 2, 2003

The Honorable Mr. Ryozo Kato

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of Japan

2520 Massachusetts Ave. N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20008

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

It was very shocking and saddening to learn of the untimely deaths of two Japan Foreign Ministry personnel stationed to Iraq in order to assist in reconstruction.

It must be a great loss for the Foreign Ministry not to mention for the bereaved families and for all of Japan to have Third Secretary Masamori Inoue and Counselor Katsuhiko Oku brutally stolen away by an act of unforgivable and unfathomable violence.

It is still inconceivable--if not an outrage--that such young Japanese professionals as Inoue-san and Oku-san--in the prime of their lives and careers and likewise dedicated to a goodwill mission to bring peace and reconstruction assistance--would have been attacked in this way. Words cannot even be easily found. From what I have learned by media reports, both of these men were dedicated to their families, mission, and country. I note that they were specialists on the Middle East and had even learned to speak Arabic—a bridge between their own culture and the people whom they merely endeavored to help in Iraq. They will be surely missed.

The Government and People of Japan can no doubt be proud of the courage and accomplishment of the two slain diplomats. Their passing causes me to offer even greater encouragement to your Government to continue the course of not only rebuilding Iraq with other allies, but in also standing firm against terrorism wherever it may occur, until our civilized nations stamp out the last vestige of this kind of barbarism and cruelty. There is no doubt the enemies of Japan and of all modern civilized democracies are now watching Japanese policy very closely. With keen interest in the steadfastness of Japan must be the current leader of North Korea. Mr. Kim has already established himself as an international renegade who would think nothing of harming Japanese citizens or Japanese domestic tranquility through acts of domestic terrorism, were he to detect weakness.

Japan’s response to the loss of the diplomats therefore must, by necessity, be one of firm and determined resolve. To fail to do so will send the worst possible message about Japan and it’s international integrity to such outlaw individuals as the murderers of your colleagues or rogue nations which also harbor such agenda and people.

I do trust you will accept, as a private American citizen, and on behalf of many of my fellow Americans, our utmost regret over this recent tragedy.

And in closing, in encouragement, I cite for you one of my favorite Japanese ‘kotowaza’ proverbial sayings that seems appropriate at this time for Japan, despite this loss and setback: "Ame futte ji katamaru." "Water hardens the ground." "Adversity breeds strength."

Accept, sir, the assurance of my highest consideration,

Sincerely,

[AmericanInTokyo]

signed w/name & hand-delivered by courier by tomorrow

[AmericanInTokyo]

I am told that people back East, in or near D.C., could go to the Japanese Embassy, on Massachusetts Avenue in D.C., and sign a book of condolences--according to the Embassy website.

They put the book out just today and would have it out until their funerals in Tokyo. (info as of 2 December 2003)

[Tijeras_Slim]

Well said.

[Cindy]

Thank you for the info and your thoughtfulness in writing that letter American in Tokyo.

Cindy

[AmericanInTokyo]

Thank you. To the two of you.

[AmericanInTokyo]

bump

[witnesstothefall]

Well done.

btt

[AmericanInTokyo]

Perhaps you all (in Japan) would be interested in this. Bump/alert.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Same for you S. Korean experts/residents. (They got hit over the weekend, too).

[international american]

Well said, and doubtless from the heart.
Best regards, IA

[AmericanInTokyo]

and welcome to free republic, fellow venturer in asia....

[eyespysomething]

I've emailed each country after an attack. I already emailed them, twice in fact (to the foreign minister and the Prime Minister)

Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi
webmaster@mofa.go.jp

The Honorable Mr. Ryozo Kato

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of Japan:
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/forms/comment.html




Also- send condolences to the other countries who've lost people also. It like a goodwill gesture from the USA.

Don't forget Spain:
http://www.spainemb.org/ingles/indexing.htm (email link top right)

and South Korea:
http://www.koreaembassy.org/koreaus/embassy/eng_contactus.cfm

[AmericanInTokyo]

Good. You are all direct action and little talk. I admire you. And, I like that in Freepers.

[international american]

I just read your home page, and disagree with..uh...NOTHING! My partners from Malaysia consider Ronald Reagan their hero as an American leader (I have good partners:)
Best, IA

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Thank you my dear friend. As an expat,

Panagringa

[AmericanInTokyo]

its a bit of a mutual admiration society here today on FR, but darn, we ARE indeed getting some business taken care of! Thanks y gracias, shoshite arigato

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Darn, AmericanInTokyo. I went to Japan a couple of times several years ago and fell in love with the place. One of these days I will return.

My best wishes, Panagringa.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

What business do you do in Malaysia ?

[international american]

I bought the USA rights to a low fat fast food franchise which emanates from Kuala Lumpur, malaysia.Also I export tuna fish from Malaysia to the US. Also, I sell fast food franchises to Bejing and Shanghai.

[exit82]

Very thoughtful of you. Thanks for showing that America has a good heart.

[exit82]

Good to see you,M. Hope all is well, down Panama way.