[Title] Remarks by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the terrorist attack in Bangladesh

Last night, the deaths of seven Japanese nationals were confirmed. This is a truly regrettable outcome. I pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and also extend my condolences to the families of the victims.

All of those who lost their lives had gone to Bangladesh in the spirit of wanting to work for the good of that country. This matter truly grieves me deeply and I am rendered speechless to think of the regrets of the victims. This was an impermissible act of terrorism and I am profoundly outraged. We will prepare a governmental aircraft to assist the families of the victims in arriving at the scene of the incident as quickly as possible. Just now, I was in contact with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Seiji Kihara, who has arrived in Bangladesh. I instructed him to receive the bereaved family members and interact with the Bangladesh side in accordance with the requests of the families to the greatest possible extent. At any rate, although I fall entirely speechless when I think of how the bereaved family members must be feeling, I wish to respond to this incident in the spirit of doing everything possible while keeping the sensitivities of the family members firmly in mind.

We intend to continue to take all possible preparations to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens both at home and abroad. In order to do so, we will devote our utmost efforts to shed light on this incident. As such, I also intend for us to act in close coordination and communication with the Government of Bangladesh.

Also at the UN, a press statement by the United Nations Security Council was released. We intend to work in cooperation with the international community in order to root out terrorism.