New Delhi: On the passing away of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Japanese envoy to India Hiramatsu expressed his condolences on Sunday and said that the people of Japan would remember his contribution to furthering bilateral ties.

In a message, he said, "On behalf of the Government and the people of Japan, I would like to express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the bereaved family and the people of India. Mr. Jaitley's great contribution to elevating our bilateral relationship to a new height, during his tenure as Minister of Finance and Minister of Defence, will be remembered by the people of Japan. He was a true friend of Japan in India."