3 days ago
Richard Armitage memorial praises diplomat's contribution to Japan-US alliance
About 400 people have gathered to remember former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who played a key role in US-Japan relations. The high-ranking diplomat died in April at the age of 79.
The memorial ceremony was held on Thursday at the US Naval Academy in the state of Maryland. The participants included former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and diplomats from Japan and other countries.
In a speech, former CIA Director William Burns praised Armitage's achievements and character. He said Armitage knew that "diplomacy was not an abstraction but a very human business of building trust with allies and partners."
Former Japanese Ambassador to the US Kato Ryozo said, "The passing of Richard Armitage, the greatest and most skilled craftsman in the history of the US-Japan alliance," was a "profound loss" to both countries.
Kato added, "The friendship, trust, the many gifts he gave us are living still through us."
Armitage worked under President George W. Bush. He was a top expert on Asian and Japanese affairs, and called for strengthening the US-Japan alliance.
