In Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Okinawa, American troops landed on its main island on April 1, 1945 toward the end of World War Two. Eighty years since, people in Yomitan village where US soldiers landed observed a moment of silence to remember war victims.
US troops came ashore on the central part of Okinawa’s main island, in an area now comprising Yomitan Village and Chatan Town.
The Battle of Okinawa left more than 200,000 people dead. One out of every four Okinawa residents was killed.
On April 1 every year, Yomitan Village calls for a moment of silence.
On Tuesday, in an announcement at the village office before noon, Mayor Ishimine Denjitsu urged villagers to remember this day, pray for eternal peace and convey the past to future generations. Staffers then observed one minute of silence.
Village employee Toyama Shota said he will spend the day thinking about the terrible war 80 years ago and about peace.
Ishimine said April 1 is always in his heart.
AloJapan.com