Hung on the front wall of the venue of the service was a portrait of smiling General Secretary Kim Jong Il.

Wreathes were laid before it.

The participants paid tribute to him in humblest reverence.

Ekan Ikeguchi in a speech expressed belief that the Korean people would achieve great success in the drive for improving the people's standard of living and building a thriving nation under the wise leadership of First Secretary Kim Jong Un by implementing the behests of President Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

He said he will work heart and soul for the Japan-DPRK friendship in future.

Ho Jong Man, chairman of the Central Standing Committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, expressed deep thanks to Ekan Ikeguchi and other priests and believers for holding a memorial service with splendor this year, too, in deep reverence for Kim Jong Il.