Minister Miyashita attends the Commemorative Service for the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea
2017/5/31
On May 1, 2017, a Commemorative Service for the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea was held in Townsville, Queensland, and Minister Miyashita and the naval attaché attended on behalf of the Ambassador. This year was the first time a representative of the Japanese government has been invited to a memorial service for the Battle of the Coral Sea.
1. Battle of the Coral Sea Commemorative Dawn Service hosted by the QLD Division of the Naval Association of Australia
Many guests including the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia His Excellency General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Australia Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Attorney-General the Hon George Brandis QC, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP (on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition), Premier of Queensland The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, Chargé d’Affaires to the U.S. Embassy Mr James Carouso, and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift attended the 6:00am service held at Townsville’s Anzac Park in addition to war veterans who fought in the battle and defence personnel. Of those present, Governor-General Cosgrove, Prime Minister Turnbull and Chargé d’Affaires Carouso gave speeches and laid wreathes together with Minister Miyashita and the other guests.
2. Commemorative Service of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea hosted by the Royal Australian Navy
The service, which was held on board the Australian navy vessel HMAS Choules in the Coral Sea 25km off the coast of Townsville, commemorated the 75th anniversary since the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first event of its kind hosted by the Royal Australian Navy. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia His Excellency General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Attorney-General the Hon George Brandis QC (on behalf of the Prime Minister), Minister for Defence the Hon Marise Payne, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP (on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition), Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC , RAN, Chargé d’Affaires to the U.S. Embassy Mr James Carouso and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift were amongst those who attended the service, gave speeches and laid wreathes. In Minister Miyashita’s speech, he expressed the Japanese government’s sincerest condolences and regrets to the victims, and went on to talk about Japan’s determination to never repeat the tragedies of war, its continued efforts to create a free, democratic and peaceful nation, to never forget the gratitude felt towards Australia and America who helped Japan in its return to the international community after the war, and its resolve to maintain peace and stability in the region and the global community by working closely with its allies and partner nations. (Text of Minister Miyashita’s speech (in English))
1. Battle of the Coral Sea Commemorative Dawn Service hosted by the QLD Division of the Naval Association of Australia
Many guests including the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia His Excellency General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Australia Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Attorney-General the Hon George Brandis QC, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP (on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition), Premier of Queensland The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, Chargé d’Affaires to the U.S. Embassy Mr James Carouso, and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift attended the 6:00am service held at Townsville’s Anzac Park in addition to war veterans who fought in the battle and defence personnel. Of those present, Governor-General Cosgrove, Prime Minister Turnbull and Chargé d’Affaires Carouso gave speeches and laid wreathes together with Minister Miyashita and the other guests.
2. Commemorative Service of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea hosted by the Royal Australian Navy
The service, which was held on board the Australian navy vessel HMAS Choules in the Coral Sea 25km off the coast of Townsville, commemorated the 75th anniversary since the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first event of its kind hosted by the Royal Australian Navy. Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia His Excellency General the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Attorney-General the Hon George Brandis QC (on behalf of the Prime Minister), Minister for Defence the Hon Marise Payne, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP (on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition), Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC , RAN, Chargé d’Affaires to the U.S. Embassy Mr James Carouso and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift were amongst those who attended the service, gave speeches and laid wreathes. In Minister Miyashita’s speech, he expressed the Japanese government’s sincerest condolences and regrets to the victims, and went on to talk about Japan’s determination to never repeat the tragedies of war, its continued efforts to create a free, democratic and peaceful nation, to never forget the gratitude felt towards Australia and America who helped Japan in its return to the international community after the war, and its resolve to maintain peace and stability in the region and the global community by working closely with its allies and partner nations. (Text of Minister Miyashita’s speech (in English))