Emperor Naruhito Plans Visit to Iwoto Island to Commemorate WWII Victims
The Imperial Family of Japan is contemplating a visit by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to Iwoto Island in April, as part of commemorative activities marking the 80th anniversary of World War II's concluding battles. This visit aims to honor those who lost their lives during intense combat in the latter stages of the war, according to sources close to the imperial couple.
In addition to Iwoto Island, the Imperial Household Agency is also considering excursions to other significant historical locations related to war, such as Hiroshima and Nagasaki--the cities that suffered devastating atomic bombings--and Okinawa, which was the site of fierce ground confrontations between Japanese and American forces during the conflict.
The planned trip to Iwoto Island, located approximately 1,250 kilometers south of Tokyo, is expected to be a one-day event. The couple will likely travel via a Self-Defense Forces aircraft, where they will pay their respects to the war dead by laying flowers at two dedicated memorials and offering prayers.
Historically known as Iwo Jima, the island was the site of a prolonged and brutal battle lasting about a month, which began with the landing of U.S. forces in February 1945. This conflict resulted in the deaths of around 21,900 Japanese soldiers and 7,000 American soldiers, marking a significant moment in the Pacific theater of World War II.
In a similar gesture of remembrance, Emperor Naruhito's parents, former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, visited Iwoto Island in 1994 to honor those who perished in the war, a year before the 50th anniversary of the war's conclusion.
The Emperor's planned visit reaffirms the continued commitment of the Japanese imperial family to acknowledge the sacrifices made during the war and to promote peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of such a devastating conflict.
As the year progresses, the Imperial Household Agency is expected to finalize details surrounding this visit and any additional trips to other war-related sites, underlining the importance of these commemorations in the national consciousness.
