NAHA, Mar 27 (News On Japan) –
A memorial ceremony was held in Zamami Village on March twenty sixth to mark 80 years because the residents of the Kerama Islands have been pushed to mass suicide throughout the Battle of Okinawa, following the primary U.S. touchdown on the islands in 1945.
On March twenty sixth, 1945, as American forces launched their preliminary assault on Zamami, many residents—dealing with desperation and worry—both took their very own lives or these of their members of the family in a tragedy often known as “compulsory mass suicide.” At least 177 individuals died.
This yr’s memorial, hosted by the village, was held on the Tower of Peace and attended by bereaved households and plenty of native residents.
Takashiro Toshiko, 93, mentioned, “Eighty years ago today, fierce fighting broke out here, and many villagers were doomed to die. I never want my grandchildren or great-grandchildren to go through the fear and pain I experienced.”
Zamami Mayor Miyazato Satoshi declared, “Eighty years after the war, in this milestone year, we pledge here at the Tower of Peace to pass on both the history of that tragic conflict and the peace and richness we enjoy on these islands today.”
As 80 years have handed because the tragedy, and few who bear in mind the occasions firsthand stay, this yr’s ceremony marked a big effort to make sure the reminiscence of what occurred on the island isn’t misplaced to time.
Source: Okinawa News OTV