X @takaichi_sanae
Today, the National War Memorial Ceremony was held, and as the Prime Minister, I delivered the following address.
<ceremonial address>
In the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, as well as the bereaved families of the war dead and representatives from various fields, we will be holding a national memorial service for the war dead.
In the last war, approximately 3.1 million people lost their lives. Those who died on the battlefield while worrying about the fate of their homeland and praying for the happiness of their loved ones. Those who lost their lives in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the bombing of various cities, and the ground battles in Okinawa. After the end of the war, those who died in faraway lands. Now, as I stand before all the spirits, I pray from the bottom of my heart for their peace.
We will never forget that the peace and prosperity of our country today was built on the precious lives of those who died in war and on the history of hardship. Once again, I would like to express my sincere respect and gratitude.
We will never forget the many remains that have yet to be returned home. As part of our national responsibility, we will do our best to welcome these children back to their hometowns as soon as possible.
After the war, Japan has consistently moved forward as a nation that values peace and has made every effort to contribute to world peace and prosperity. We will never allow the devastation of war to happen again. It has been 81 years since the end of the war, but no matter how much time passes, we will continue to pass on this resolute vow from generation to generation.
Japan can play an important role in resolving the various issues faced by each country. We can become the country you rely on as a shining lighthouse in the Indo-Pacific. We will create a Japan where both current and future generations can have hope and a society where they can live in safety and security.
In closing, I would like to sincerely pray for the peace of the souls of the war dead and the good health of their bereaved families.
Notes
本日、全国戦没者追悼式を挙行し、内閣総理大臣として、次の通り式辞を申し述べました。 ＜式辞＞ 天皇皇后両陛下のご臨席を仰ぎ、戦没者のご遺族、各界代表のご列席を得て、全国戦没者追悼式を、ここに挙行いたします。 先の大戦では、約310万人の同胞の命が失われました。 祖国の行く末を案じ、愛するご家族の幸せを願いながら、戦場に斃れた方々。 広島と長崎での原子爆弾投下、各都市での爆撃、沖縄における地上戦などにより犠牲となられた方々。 終戦後、遠い異郷の地で亡くなられた方々。 今、すべての御霊の御前にあって、御霊の安寧を、心より、お祈り申し上げます。 今日の我が国の平和と繁栄は、戦没者の皆様の尊い命と、苦難の歴史の上に築かれたものであることを、私たちは決して忘れません。 改めて、衷心より、敬意と感謝の誠を捧げます。 未だ帰還を果たされていない多くのご遺骨のことも、決して忘れません。 一日も早くふるさとにお迎えできるよう、国の責務として全力を尽くしてまいります。 戦後、我が国は一貫して、平和を重んじる国家として歩みを進め、世界の平和と繁栄に貢献するために力を尽くしてまいりました。 戦争の惨禍を、二度と繰り返させない。 戦後81年が経ちますが、歳月がいかに流れても、この決然たる誓いを、世代を超えて継承し、貫いてまいります。 日本は、各国が直面している様々な課題の解決に向け、重要な役割を果たせます。 インド太平洋の輝く灯台として、頼りにされる国になれます。 今を生きる世代も、未来を生きる世代も、希望を持てる日本を、安全で安心して暮らせる社会を、創り上げてまいります。 結びに、戦没者の御霊のご平安と、ご遺族の皆様のご健勝を、心よりお祈りし申し上げます。