Japanese group wants peace memorial on Tinian

A Japanese organization is pushing for the construction of a peace memorial on Tinian to commemorate the significant role played by the island during World War II, according to Tinian Rep. Norman S. Palacios.

Soka Gakkai International (Society for the Creation of Value) has asked local officials for permission to erect the proposed monument at a bomb pit situated within the Northfield, a parcel of Tinian lands owned by the U.S. military.

“They want to have the peace memorial built only on Tinian,” said Mr. Palacios, adding that this could boost the tourism industry with the anticipated increase in Japanese visitors arrivals to the island municipality.

The group has more than 14 million members worldwide, 10 million of whom are all in Japan. If the monument is built on Tinian, the island can expect to lure at least 100,000 tourists to visit the site annually, Mr. Palacios pointed out. It is also the third largest such organization in that country with links to various media which will translate to “free promotion” for CNMI’s tourism.

The Tinian Mayor’s Office is currently reviewing the proposal and is working closely with the National Historical Site office to determine whether the plan can push through.
Soka Gakkai, according to the lawmaker, has to come up with definite plan to be presented to the military for approval.

“We’re waiting for the construction plan to see what type of monument they want to build,” said Mr. Palacios.

Recently, the Tinian legislative delegation has conferred a honorary citizenship to Daisaku Ikeda, Soka Gakkai president, in honor of his “spirit of compassion and commitment to world peace.”

The 72-year-old Japanese leader has been in the forefront of the peace movement by promoting education and culture and steadfastly opposing violence of any form, according to a resolution adopted by Tinian lawmakers in February.

Mr. Ikeda became part of the Marianas family in 1975 when he formed the Soka Gakkai first on Guam, and later on in the CNMI, to bring the peace movement in the Pacific.

“Given Tinian’s historical role in the second world war, the people of… Tinian and Aguigan appreciate the efforts and legacy of the Soka Gakkai International and [Mr. Ikeda],” said the resolution authored by Mr. Palacios.