Caroline Kennedy Ambassador visited to Kanagawa, helicopter accident

Caroline Kennedy Ambassador visited to Kanagawa, helicopter acciident

 

ヘリ不時着事故：ケネディ大使来県／神奈川

 

キャロライン・ケネディ駐日米大使が１２月１７日、神奈川県と横須賀市を訪問し、米海軍厚木基地のヘリコプターが三浦市に不時着、横転した事故などに関しそれぞれの首長と会談をした。

 

事故の再発防止と原因究明について日本側に情報提供する姿勢を示したものの、謝罪の言葉はなかったという。

 

ケネディ氏は米海軍横須賀基地の視察後、横須賀市役所で吉田雄人市長と会談。

 

市長が１２月１６日に起きた事故の再発防止や原因究明の情報提供を求めたのに対し、ケネディ氏は「もちろん、そういったことに応えていく」との見解を示した。

 

一方、県庁でケネディ氏と会談した黒岩祐治知事によると、知事は会談の冒頭で事故に触れ、「県民は（米軍機などの）騒音に悩まされており、事故があったことで大変不安に感じている」と述べ、再発防止の徹底と早期の原因究明を同様に求めた。

 

ケネディ氏は、事故で負傷した乗組員が県内の病院で治療を受けたことに対する感謝の意を示したものの、謝罪や再発防止策の説明はなかったという。

 

知事は会談後、謝罪がなかったことへの所感を記者団から問われ、「謝罪を求めるべきかもしれないが、会談で『謝罪してください』というのも変。病院の治療に対する感謝にそうしたことも含まれていると私は解釈した」と述べた。

 

また「実りの多い会談だった。日米同盟を維持する上でいかに神奈川が重要な役割を果たしているかを共有できた」と強調。

 

「たまたま不時着事故が起きた。いろんな波紋があることを生々しく実感していただいたことも、逆に良かったのかもしれない」とも述べた。

 

ケネディ氏の県内訪問は着任後初めて。

 

来県日程は事故前から予定されていた。

 

（神奈川新聞、２０１３年１２月１８日）

 

Caroline Kennedy Ambassador to Kanagawa, helicopter acciident

 

17 December 2013, Her Excellency Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Japan was a meeting with the chiefs of each relates to helicopter accidents,  she visited Yokosuka city and Kanagawa Prefecture, helicopter of U.S. Navy Atsugi base is ditched in Miura city, was overturned.

 

She showed a willingness to inform the Japanese side about the causes and prevent recurrence of the accident, but there was no word of apology.

 

After visit the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka city, Her Excellency Ambassador Kennedy met with Mayor Yuto Yoshida in Yokosuka city government hall.

 

Whereas the request to provide information of the causes and prevent recurrence of the accident that occurred on 16 December, Her Excellency Ambassador Kennedy expressed to mayer the view “Of course, going to respond to that sort of thing”.

 

And, according to Yuji Kuroiwa Kanagawa president met with Her Excellency Ambassador Kennedy in the Kanagawa prefectural government office, Governor touch the accident at the beginning of the meeting, “Residents are plagued by noise (such as U.S. aircraft), a very uneasy in that there was an accident", Kuroiwa Kanagawa prefecture president said, it was determined in the same manner investigate the cause of early and thorough measures for preventing the recurrence.

 

Her Excellency Ambassador Kennedy, expressed her appreciation for the crew were injured in the accident were treated at a hospital in Kanagawa prefecture, but there was no description of preventive measures and apology.

 

After the meeting, the question from reporters sentiments to that there was no apology, “You might should seek apology, but the governor did so in appreciation for the treatment. Thanks for hospital cure was so, that was apology talks I felt,” Kuroiwa Kanagawa prefecture president said.

 

The emphasis to be “Share Kanagawa whether plays an important role how in maintaining. US - Japan Alliance was meeting fruitful".

 

He also said, “Forced landing accident happened. That had vividly realize that there are many ripples might was even good".

 

Her Excellency Ambassador Kennedy visiting to Kanagawa prefecture was for the first time.

 

Visit to prefecture schedule was planned from before the accident.

 

(Kanagawa Shimbun, 18 Wednesday December 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 18 Wednesday December 2013 The Roman)