video transcript

Arriving in Tokyo, the bodies of nine Japanese victims of the Algerian hostage crisis. The workers were repatriated on Friday (January 25), after being killed as militants attacked a gas plant in the Algerian desert. The remains of the tenth victim are expected to arrive back on Saturday (January 26). Seven survivors of the siege also arrived home and were escorted onto a minibus. Flags flew at half mast at the workers' company headquarters, where JGC condemned the attack on its employees. SOUNDBITE: JGC CORPORATION PRESIDENT KOICHI KAWANA, SAYING (Japanese): "It was hard when I saw the bodies, so very, very hard. I was filled with the deepest sadness. Some of those who were travelling with me saw the bodies and called out their names. Others were just overwhelmed with grief." Employees and local residents have been visiting a memorial at the company, to pay respects to those who lost their lives. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also held a moment of silence for the victims, before pledging new measures to protect nationals working abroad. Japan says the Algerian siege is the worst assault on its overseas citizens since the 9/11 attacks.