The Japan Coast Guard held a ceremony Monday commemorating the 60th anniversary of its founding with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and other leaders attending. Congratulatory video messages have arrived from the heads of its counterparts in the United States, South Korea, Russia and other countries.

At the ceremony, Emperor Akihito, Fukuda and Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuzo Fuyushiba delivered speeches. The organization was founded in May 1948 as the Maritime Safety Agency of Japan under the leadership of the United States, before Japan’s Self-Defense Forces were established.