Ambassador Roos Represents the U.S. at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony and the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony

Aug 6 - U.S. Ambassador John V. Roos attended the 67th Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on Aug. 6, 2012 as well as the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony on Aug. 9. This was the Ambassador's second time to attend the Hiroshima ceremony, after becoming the first U.S. official to attend the ceremony in 2010. Ambassador Roos also became the first U.S. Ambassador to attend the Nagasaki ceremony.

In a statement released prior to the ceremony in Hiroshima, Ambassador Roos commented: "I am honored once again to have the opportunity to represent my country at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony. The relationship between the United States and Japan has never been stronger, and I would like to convey my deep respect to Mayor Kazumi Matsui and to the people of Hiroshima on the occasion of this commemoration."

Before his visit in Nagasaki, Ambassador Roos said, "Last year I spoke with Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue and expressed my hope to be able to attend the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Nagasaki during my time in Japan. This year, I am honored to represent the United States at the Peace Memorial Ceremony in order to pay respects to all those who died during World War II. I'm proud to say that the friendship between the United States and Japan has never been stronger."

The Ambassador was accompanied on both visits by his wife, Susie. At the Hiroshima ceremony, the U.S. Consul General in Osaka-Kobe, Patrick Linehan, also attended. At the Nagasaki ceremony, U.S. Principal Officer in Fukuoka, Jason Cubas, attended with the Ambassador.