Crown Prince and Princess of Japan honour unidentified war dead

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko of Japan attended a ceremony which honoured the unidentified people who died during World War II or in Siberian internment camps after the war.

The ceremony took place at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Other attendees included Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and representatives of the families.

During the ceremony, the remains of 368 people, who had been retrieved from Russia, Iwoto Island and other places, were enshrined at the ceremony. These remains have remained unidentified and were never returned to their families. The cemetery is now the resting place of 371,008 war dead.

Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Takamaro Fukuoka referred to the government’s project to locate war dead remains in his speech at the ceremony. He said, “We will make the utmost effort to ensure that the remains of as many people as possible can return to their hometowns quickly.”