TOKYO (AP) Japanese fans of President John F. Kennedy took photos with his portrait, folded paper cranes and watched his inaugural ceremony on a monitor Friday to express admiration on the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
"If he had lived longer, things might have been different," said Teruo Nasu, 70, a retired printer, reaching up to point to an excerpt from his speech lining the walls at a commemorative event in Tokyo.
"I wish I could show that to a Japanese prime minister. His idea of taking up challenges is still needed."
The event, drawing a small but steady trickle of people to a corner of a shopping mall, was organized by travel company Toptour, which is planning a tour of special Kennedy spots Boston, Washington D.C. and Dallas, according to spokesman Hajime Kitta.
Japanese have long held special feelings for Kennedy, whom they see as a hero standing for the ideals of freedom and forging a trans-Pacific U.S.-Japan friendship.