ID :
32681
Thu, 11/27/2008 - 22:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/32681
The shortlink copeid
Japanese businessman killed, another Japanese hurt in Mumbai attacks
TOKYO, Nov. 27 Kyodo - A Japanese businessman was killed and another injured in a series of attacks in Mumbai, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said Thursday, adding that the safety of other Japanese known to the ministry as living and traveling on business in the Mumbai region has been confirmed.
At least 100 people have been reported killed and some 300 wounded in a series
of coordinated attacks by gunmen in the Indian financial capital Wednesday
night.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said a total of 10 Japanese people are
trapped in two hotels -- seven in the Trident, formerly known as the Oberoi,
and three in the Taj Mahal -- as terrorists barricade themselves in the hotels.
Hisashi Tsuda, 38, an employee of Mitsui Marubeni Liquefied Gas Co., was gunned
down at the Trident and transported to hospital for surgery but pronounced dead
there early Thursday local time, the ministry said.
Another employee of the company, Tatsuya Kessoku, 44, was with him and is
believed to have sustained minor injuries, according to the ministry.
All the remaining 28 Japanese traveling on business as well as 268 Japanese
residents in the region were confirmed safe as of 6:25 p.m. Thursday local
time, the ministry said.
Nobuyuki Tagaeto, a senior official of Mitsui Marubeni Liquefied Gas, told
reporters in Tokyo, ''We are saddened by this unexpected tragedy. Since our
clients are traveling together, we will make sure that they return home
safely.''
Tsuda, a sales staffer, was scheduled to return home on Dec. 1 after visiting
several cities in India including Mumbai and New Delhi, according to the
company.
In Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture, where Tsuda's relatives live, his brother
Yasushi, 34, said his parents are shocked by the sudden news of his death. ''I
was proud of my elder brother for being good at both sports and studies. I
cannot accept the fact (of his death) until I see (his body) in person.''
Prime Minister Taro Aso told reporters Thursday evening, ''Many people died and
were injured and among them was one Japanese. We must be resolved to fight
because this was evidently an act of terrorism.''
''We, the Japanese government, would like to extend full support to the Indian
government in its fight against terrorism.''
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone issued a statement, saying, ''We express
strong resentment and firmly deplore this conduct. We will continue cooperating
with the Indian government to combat terrorism.''
The Japanese government set up a liaison office to gather information and
coordinate a response to the incident at the crisis management center in the
prime minister's office.
Japanese companies doing business related to India were busy dealing with the
situation in Mumbai.
An All Nippon Airways Co. flight from Narita to Mumbai took off Thursday as
scheduled, but the plane may turn back depending on the developments.
NTT Communications Corp. is considering postponing business trips by employees
to India.
Travel agents H.I.S. Co. and JTB Corp. said there are no travelers currently in
Mumbai on their group tours.
==Kyodo
At least 100 people have been reported killed and some 300 wounded in a series
of coordinated attacks by gunmen in the Indian financial capital Wednesday
night.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said a total of 10 Japanese people are
trapped in two hotels -- seven in the Trident, formerly known as the Oberoi,
and three in the Taj Mahal -- as terrorists barricade themselves in the hotels.
Hisashi Tsuda, 38, an employee of Mitsui Marubeni Liquefied Gas Co., was gunned
down at the Trident and transported to hospital for surgery but pronounced dead
there early Thursday local time, the ministry said.
Another employee of the company, Tatsuya Kessoku, 44, was with him and is
believed to have sustained minor injuries, according to the ministry.
All the remaining 28 Japanese traveling on business as well as 268 Japanese
residents in the region were confirmed safe as of 6:25 p.m. Thursday local
time, the ministry said.
Nobuyuki Tagaeto, a senior official of Mitsui Marubeni Liquefied Gas, told
reporters in Tokyo, ''We are saddened by this unexpected tragedy. Since our
clients are traveling together, we will make sure that they return home
safely.''
Tsuda, a sales staffer, was scheduled to return home on Dec. 1 after visiting
several cities in India including Mumbai and New Delhi, according to the
company.
In Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture, where Tsuda's relatives live, his brother
Yasushi, 34, said his parents are shocked by the sudden news of his death. ''I
was proud of my elder brother for being good at both sports and studies. I
cannot accept the fact (of his death) until I see (his body) in person.''
Prime Minister Taro Aso told reporters Thursday evening, ''Many people died and
were injured and among them was one Japanese. We must be resolved to fight
because this was evidently an act of terrorism.''
''We, the Japanese government, would like to extend full support to the Indian
government in its fight against terrorism.''
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone issued a statement, saying, ''We express
strong resentment and firmly deplore this conduct. We will continue cooperating
with the Indian government to combat terrorism.''
The Japanese government set up a liaison office to gather information and
coordinate a response to the incident at the crisis management center in the
prime minister's office.
Japanese companies doing business related to India were busy dealing with the
situation in Mumbai.
An All Nippon Airways Co. flight from Narita to Mumbai took off Thursday as
scheduled, but the plane may turn back depending on the developments.
NTT Communications Corp. is considering postponing business trips by employees
to India.
Travel agents H.I.S. Co. and JTB Corp. said there are no travelers currently in
Mumbai on their group tours.
==Kyodo
