Ambassador Kennedy's Remarks Expressing Apology at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

May 19, 2016

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come here tonight to express my deepest sorrow on behalf of the American government and the American people.

This is a terrible tragedy. Our hearts go out to the victim, her family, and her friends. Nothing that I can do or say can make up for their loss or bring her back, but I want to express to you my determination, and that of my U.S. military colleagues, to cooperate fully with the Okinawan Police and the Japanese Government. We will redouble our efforts to make sure that this never happens again.

I've spoken with my colleagues in Washington DC and they join me in sending our deepest condolences to the people of Okinawa and our gratitude to the people of Japan for the trust that they place in the alliance and in the American people. We will do our utmost to make sure this never happens again.