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