The 28th marked 52 years since the United Red Army rescued the hostages in Karuizawa Town, Nagano Prefecture during the Asama Sanso Incident, and a memorial service was held for the police officers who died in the line of duty.
In the ``Asama Sanso Incident'' that occurred in February 1971, five members of the United Red Army barricaded themselves in ``Asama Sanso,'' which was a recreation facility for a musical instrument company, for 10 days, taking the manager's wife hostage.
Amid gun battles, riot police from the Metropolitan Police Department and Nagano Prefectural Police finally burst in on February 28 and rescued the hostages.
In the incident, Captain Naotaka Uchida of the 2nd Riot Police Department, who belonged to the Metropolitan Police Department's Security Division, and Shigemitsu Takami of the Special Vehicle Unit were shot and killed.
On the 28th, 52 years since the hostages were rescued, a memorial service was held in front of the stone monument, and about 30 people, including police officers and local residents, offered a moment of silence and laid flowers.
Goro Shirata, who cooperated with the police by operating a crane truck, said, ``At that time, I was so absorbed in operating the crane that I didn't feel the cold.I feel sorry for the two people who died at such a young age.''
Officer Hiroyuki Gyoda of the Karuizawa Police Station Regional Division said, ``I believe the police officer who died in the line of duty had a great sense of responsibility and mission.As a local police officer, I think we should never forget him.''