TOKYO, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The father of a young Vietnamese girl who was allegedly murdered said Monday that he hoped justice would be served and that it had been a very long year for him and his family.

Le Anh Hao, 35, made the remarks at a press briefing on the first anniversary of the discovery of his daughter's body.

He laid flowers at the site where his daughter's body was found in Abiko, east of Tokyo.

At the site where the body of Le Thi Nhat Linh, 9, was found, Hao said it had been "really a long year" for the family.

He also said he hoped that justice will be served in the upcoming murder trial.

Yasumasa Shibuya, 46, has been indicted for the murder of Le Thi Nhat Linh and on other charges.

The trial will begin at the Chiba District Court on June 4.

Shibuya was the head of the parents' association at the girl's elementary school at the time of the murder.

Hao, as quoted by local media, said that more than 1.1 million signatures have been collected seeking capital punishment for Shibuya from around Japan, Vietnam and other places.

Hao, a resident of Matsudo in Chiba Prefecture, met with the Matsudo Mayor Kenji Hongoya prior to visiting the crime scene.

Hongoya said that it was the responsibility of adults to take care of children and as adults could not protect Linh he was very sorry.

Hao will continue to live in Matsudo and raise Linh's 4-year-old brother in the city, the mayor also said.