New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the demise of former Japanese Parliament speaker Nobutaka Machimura, terming him a friend of India.
The official twitter account of the Prime Minister's Office shared Prime Minister Modi's thoughts via a series of tweets.
"Saddened at the passing away of Mr Nobutaka Machimura, former Speaker of the Japanese Parliament. He was a friend of India: PM"
"Mr Machimura served as Chairman of India-Japan Parliamentary Friendship League & worked extensively towards strong India-Japan ties: PM"
"I have fond memories of meeting Mr. Machimura in Tokyo during my last visit. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family: PM @narendramodi"
The Prime Minister himself tweeted his condolences in Japanese.
Machimura passed away at a Tokyo hospital on June 1 after reportedly suffering from cerebral infarction. He was 70.
