TOKYO

A memorial ceremony was held Saturday at an airport in the Afghan capital of Kabul for Japanese doctor Tetsu Nakamura, killed in a shooting in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and soldiers carried Nakamura's coffin on their shoulders. His body was sent to Japan by air.

In the ceremony, Ghani said Nakamura dedicated his life to helping Afghans and supporting reconstruction of the war-torn country.

Calling Nakamura a hero, Ghani said: “Thanks to him, hundreds of thousands of Afghans stood up again after being pounded by drought and hundreds of thousands of trees were revived.”

On Friday, Ghani had a meeting with Nakamura's bereaved wife, Naoko, and the eldest daughter, Akiko, at the presidential office.

Ghani offered his profound sympathies to the family and the Japanese people.

The president said he proudly remembers his days spent with Nakamura discussing aid projects. He also said he was honored when he granted Nakamura honorary citizenship.

Irrigation, agricultural and other projects led by Nakamura will be continued, Ghani promised.

He called the perpetrators of the shooting attack enemies of Afghan development, adding that he ordered security authorities to identify and arrest them.

Nakamura was representative in Afghanistan of Japanese humanitarian aid group Peshawar-kai.

Jiji Press