OSAKA -- Some 1,400 people, including education minister Atsuko Toyama, attended a memorial service Saturday for the eight schoolchildren stabbed to death in June at Osaka Kyoiku University Ikeda Elementary School.
After observing a moment of silence, school principal Yoshio Yamane described how the incident took place and spoke of his memories of the eight children.
"I am overwhelmed with shame when I think that I failed to protect these children," he said. "I hope that this ceremony serves to make all of us renew our vow to make the nation's schools safe."
Toyama said in her address that the government was implementing a range of measures to prevent a similar incident occurring in the future. , including by increasing awareness of crisis management among teachers.
The state-sponsored ceremony ended with participants placing carnations on a podium on the stage, over which were portraits of the victims.
Most pupils of the school did not attend Saturday's ceremony as many are still suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. School officials said a separate memorial gathering would be held for the pupils.