Remarks by H.E. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia,
at the Funeral of Mr. Ichiro Otake at Mekanissa Zelaki Maefia
on 03 January, 2013

Kiburan ena kiburat.  Endemen Walachehu!

On this most sad occasion, on behalf of my colleagues and staff at the Embassy of Japan, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Mr. Otake’s wife and son, W/ro. Bethelhem and Hajime, as well as Mr. Otake’s father and sister and other relatives who came all the way from Japan.

We lost Mr. Otake all of a sudden last Saturday morning.  I cannot find any appropriate word to express our profound sorrow.  He was just as usual when he attended our year end reception in the office on the previous day, and I still remember his smile on that occasion.  Therefore, it is hard to believe even now that he has passed away, leaving us behind.

Mr. Otake’s death is a great loss for us all.  It is a loss of a good husband for his wife and a good father for his son.  It is a loss of a good son for his father and a good brother for his sister.  It is also a loss of a good, diligent and capable staff for us at the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia.  Mr. Otake joined our Embassy in February 2009 and served as an all round staff member in the Press and Culture Section for nearly four years.  He dedicated his life to cultural and grassroots exchanges between Ethiopia and Japan.  He was also engaged with educational exchanges.  He not only planned and coordinated cultural and educational programs but also managed and updated the Embassy website, an important tool to keep people informed of our Embassy activities.  Mr. Otake was an indispensible person for our cultural and educational programs.  He was also a person who always kept the office in high spirits.  Therefore, all of my colleagues and staff at the Embassy will sorely miss you, Mr. Otake.

May his soul rest in peace!  Amesegenalehu!