Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa is observing on Thursday the 66th anniversary of the end of fierce battles in the final days of World War Two.
About 5,000 people, including relatives of war dead, attended a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, where the last of the major fighting took place.
The participants observed a minute of silence for the souls of the dead. More than 200,000 people, including one in every 4 Okinawa residents, were killed in the Battle of Okinawa between the now-defunct Japanese Imperial Army and US forces.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima said in his peace declaration that the people of Okinawa continue to bear an excessive burden in hosting US bases, troubled by base-related crimes, accidents and noise.
Nakaima said he will continue pressing the governments of Japan and the US to quickly move the US Marine Corps Futenma air station outside Okinawa. He said he will also urge them to drastically revise the bilateral agreement on the status of US forces in Japan.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan said it is truly shameful that Okinawa has yet to be relieved of the burden imposed by the US bases even 39 years after its reversion to Japan. He promised that the central government will do all it can to reduce the burden and danger from the bases.
Ahead of the ceremony, Kan offered flowers at a national cemetery in Itoman for those killed in the Okinawa battle.
About 1,200 people paraded the streets for about 8.5 kilometers to the memorial park in the 50th annual peace march.
2011年6月23日木曜日
2011年1月21日金曜日
More human bone fossils unearthed in Okinawa cave
More human bones have been unearthed in a cave in Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, where the country's oldest bones were previously discovered.
In 2007, human bone fragments estimated to be about 20,000 years old were found in the cave on Ishigaki Island.
An excavation team reported on Thursday that about 300 additional fragments, including thighbones and upper jaw bones, were discovered in the cave.
Some of the fragments are estimated to be about 20,000 to 24,000 years old, based on studies of coals unearthed with the bones.
The team will further analyze the bones to determine their exact age.
Hisao Baba, a member of the team and an honorary researcher at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, said the discovery will help scientists in their search for the origin of the Japanese people.
In 2007, human bone fragments estimated to be about 20,000 years old were found in the cave on Ishigaki Island.
An excavation team reported on Thursday that about 300 additional fragments, including thighbones and upper jaw bones, were discovered in the cave.
Some of the fragments are estimated to be about 20,000 to 24,000 years old, based on studies of coals unearthed with the bones.
The team will further analyze the bones to determine their exact age.
Hisao Baba, a member of the team and an honorary researcher at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, said the discovery will help scientists in their search for the origin of the Japanese people.
2010年6月23日水曜日
Okinawa observes 65th memorial day
Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa has marked the 65th anniversary of the end of organized combat between the now-defunct Japanese Imperial Army and US forces at the end of World War Two.
On Wednesday, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman City, where the last of the fierce fighting took place in 1945. The Battle of Okinawa killed more than 200,000 soldiers and civilians.
During the ceremony, about 5,500 people, including victims' families, observed a minute of silence.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima said the prefecture continues to host many US military bases, and that local residents have been suffering from incidents caused by US soldiers as well as noise pollution.
He also said quickly removing the danger posed by the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station is an issue that concerns not only Okinawa, and that all Japanese nationals should try to help solve it.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed his condolences to the victims' families, and apologized to Okinawa for having to shoulder the great burden of hosting many US bases.
He pledged that the government will work harder to reduce the burden and remove danger posed by US bases.
This is Kan's first visit to the prefecture since taking office earlier this month.
2010/06/23 14:39(JST)
On Wednesday, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman City, where the last of the fierce fighting took place in 1945. The Battle of Okinawa killed more than 200,000 soldiers and civilians.
During the ceremony, about 5,500 people, including victims' families, observed a minute of silence.
Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima said the prefecture continues to host many US military bases, and that local residents have been suffering from incidents caused by US soldiers as well as noise pollution.
He also said quickly removing the danger posed by the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station is an issue that concerns not only Okinawa, and that all Japanese nationals should try to help solve it.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed his condolences to the victims' families, and apologized to Okinawa for having to shoulder the great burden of hosting many US bases.
He pledged that the government will work harder to reduce the burden and remove danger posed by US bases.
This is Kan's first visit to the prefecture since taking office earlier this month.
2010/06/23 14:39(JST)
2010年6月15日火曜日
Traditional rowboat races in Okinawa
Fishermen in Okinawa, Japan's southernmost island prefecture, have competed in races in traditional rowboats to wish for a good catch and safety at sea.
The event held on Tuesday in Itoman City dates back more than 400 years.
In one race, 10-man teams from 3 local communities paddled rowboats measuring about 7 meters long on an 800-meter course near a fishing port as onlookers cheered from the shore.
A member of the winning team of oarsmen said they'd practiced hard every day, and hope to bring in a big catch this season
The event held on Tuesday in Itoman City dates back more than 400 years.
In one race, 10-man teams from 3 local communities paddled rowboats measuring about 7 meters long on an 800-meter course near a fishing port as onlookers cheered from the shore.
A member of the winning team of oarsmen said they'd practiced hard every day, and hope to bring in a big catch this season
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