On a stage, piled in a pyramid and surrounded by white daisies and lilies, sat the dead -- dozens of eggs in clear, plastic cartons.

Arranged by agriculture ministry and poultry industry officials, the solemn sendoff April 28 at a Tokyo hotel honored hundreds of thousands of chickens slaughtered since bird flu was discovered in Japan in January.

"We want to express our regret to chickens for having to kill them while giving thanks to them for providing us with food," said Hideyuki Shimada, a director at the Japan Poultry Association. "I don't know how chickens feel, but humans should show appreciation."

Since emerging late last year, avian influenza has ravaged flocks across Asia and killed 24 people in Vietnam and Thailand. To stem the spread of the disease, authorities across the region destroyed about 100 million chickens, ducks and other birds.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 8, 2004
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