Turkey bids farewell to Japanese rescue worker Miyazaki

The remains of Japanese rescue worker Dr. Atsushi Miyazaki, who lost his life during the 5.6-magnitude earthquake in Van on Nov. 9, have been returned to Tokyo.

Miyazaki was honored with an official state ceremony in Istanbul before his remains were returned to Japan on Nov. 12. Japanese Ambassador to Turkey Kiyoshi Araki, Istanbul Gov. Hüseyin Avni Mutlu and Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş attended the ceremony.

“We share his grief with [Miyazaki’s] loved ones. I am sorry for the Japanese people’s loss,” Mutlu said.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, Keiko Miyazaki, mother of the departed rescuer, thanked Turkish officials for safely sending him back home, Anatolia news agency reported. She also said her son’s body would be at peace with all the prayers said in Turkey.

Miyazaki’s team was working on a project to provide heating for Van quake victims, said Miyazaki’s boss, Yumeka Ota, from the Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR JAPAN). “We still do not believe he is gone,” Ota said.

Miyazaki’s funeral will be held in his hometown of Oita on Nov. 16 according to Buddhist rituals.