Japan’s Emperor and Empress and their daughter have paid their respects to the victims of a ship that sank in a US attack while evacuating hundreds of children from Okinawa during World War Two.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko began their trip to the southwestern prefecture on Wednesday to offer their condolences to the war dead. This year marks 80 years since a fierce ground battle in the prefecture toward the end of the war.
On Thursday, the Imperial family offered flowers at the monument in Naha City dedicated to victims of the August 1944 attack on the vessel that was making its way to Kyushu. Close to 1,500 people were killed, including at least over 780 school children.
The family also visited the Tsushima-Maru Memorial Museum and were guided by the head of the facility. Among the items on display are photographs of more than 400 victims, including children and their teachers, along with belongings such as pencil cases.
They spoke with survivors and families of the victims, including Takara Masakatsu, who survived the attack but lost nine family members.
The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita — Emperor Naruhito’s parents– visited the monument and museum in 2014, a year before the 70th anniversary of the end of the war.
Later on Thursday, the Imperial family will visit an exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the Ocean Expo, which was held to mark the return of Okinawa to Japanese rule from the United States in 1972.
They will also inspect the reconstruction work at Shuri Castle, a prefectural landmark that was destroyed in a fire six years ago.
On Wednesday, the Imperial family visited Itoman City, the site of the final battle in Okinawa. They spoke with survivors, bereaved family members and young people working to pass on memories of the war.
AloJapan.com