Colleagues and family members of those killed in the hostage crisis in Algeria marked the first anniversary Thursday, while the government vowed to improve its crisis management.
The national and company flags were hoisted at half-staff at the headquarters of engineering firm JGC Corp. in Yokohama, with a moment of silence observed to remember its employees killed by Islamist militants at a gas complex in southeastern Algeria.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference, "We will make sure that a proper crisis management system is in place," indicating it is a policy priority.