Transport Minister Jiro Kawasaki decided Wednesday to officially commend All Nippon Airways pilot Naoyuki Nagashima, who was fatally stabbed by a hijacker Friday, ministry officials said Wednesday.
Kawasaki said Nagashima "fulfilled his duty to secure the lives of the 502 passengers and the plane's safety until the last moment."
The official commendation by the transport minister, granted for the first time to someone victimized in an accident or crime, will be presented to Nagashima's family prior to his wake, which is scheduled for today.