Japanese officials on Thursday marked the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States by pledging that the nation will continue to fight terrorism in cooperation with the international community.
"Threats of international terrorism remain serious," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said. "There is a need to promote sustained efforts in a wide range of fields to root out terrorism, and Japan will continue to work to that end by strengthening cooperation with other countries."
Claiming that a series of counterterrorism measures taken over the past two years have been bearing fruit, Senior Vice Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told a separate news conference that Japan is determined to promote steps to fight terrorism.
U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker said in a statement, "As we pause to remember the tragedy of two years ago, Americans find great consolation and strength in the sincere and unstinting support of our friends and partners in Japan."
