Abe Pays Condolence Visit to U.S. Embassy for Bush

December 7, 2018

Tokyo--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a condolence visit to the U.S. embassy in Tokyo on Friday, following the death of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush on Nov. 30.

During his visit, Abe talked with U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty.

Noting that the deceased leader helped to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance, Abe said, "I want to further develop Japan-U.S. relations, keeping his achievements in mind."

Touching on a crash involving two U.S. Marine Corps planes off the southwestern coast of Japan on Thursday, Abe expressed his condolences for the loss of the victim. "Japan is making the utmost effort to save the remaining crew members as soon as possible," he said.

In the accident, an F/A-18 fighter jet and a KC-130 aerial tanker collided and crashed into the Pacific off Kochi Prefecture in the early hours of Thursday.

One of the two rescued crew members was confirmed dead the same day.

Japan's Self-Defense Forces have been searching for the remaining five crew members with the U.S. military and the Japan Coast Guard.

After the visit, Abe told reporters that Bush had been "a great president who led the free world, with significant achievements in deepening the Japan-U.S. alliance." Jiji Press