Saipan marks 5th Joint Memorial Service

The 5th Joint Memorial Service was held at the southern end of Aqua Resort Club’s parking lot last Sunday.

The event was organized by Kuentai Japan/Kuentai USA wherein three leaders from three religions from Saipan and Japan—Japanese Shinto, Buddhism, and Catholic priests gathered to commemorate the 80th Battle of Saipan.

It was also an opportunity to give thanks to Japan, Saipan, and the United States for their good relations, and prayed for peace for those who are suffering from the ongoing battles in Palestine and Ukraine.

Along with the priests led by Archbishop-elect Ryan Jimenez of Agana, Guam, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, and Saipan Mayor Ramon B. “RB” Camacho attended the event.

The annual memorial event started in 2016 and was suspended in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jimenez said that this was his third time to participate and he’s happy about the outcome this year.

“I think more participation this time and also more planning. More because you know they are actually asking it to be part of this since last year, they came in May, then we had Zoom meeting. Then they came a few days ago so they, the organizers, really gave importance to this, so I know that this is something really you know, not just like another event.”

Yukari Akatsuka, secretary general of Kuentai USA, served as the host of the event and she welcomed the attendees and thanked Saipan. She also added why the memorial is being held in the southern end of Aqua Resort Club’s parking lot.

“Just below this site, in what is known as a mass burial, the remains of 163 Japanese soldiers were recovered in 2011 and 2012, however, this is only a small part of the total and many war remains have yet to be discovered.”

Palacios delivered the opening remarks and said, “today, as we gather to celebrate this event in a degree of solemnity and respect to the 4,500 Japanese soldiers that are buried here … the 450 Americans … We recall your sacrifices. We also pray for the world especially in our region as we all know and very aware of the tensions in the region, in our Indo-Pacific region.” He also thanked the organizer Kuentai USA, welcomed the consul general of Japan and lastly congratulated Archbishop-elect Ryan Jimenez.

“I also would be re-missed if I don’t recognize Archbishop Ryan Jimenez, who’s just been elevated yesterday. Congratulations bishop and we will continue to pray for you,” the governor added.

It was followed by remarks from Apatang who prayed for continued peace in the region.

“There isn’t a conflict of today, but we continue to pray that this would last. [The events of World War II] will never happen again today. We must pray even more that there will be some healing as we see the world around us… let us pray for those who are suffering and dying in the war in Ukraine.”

The ceremony was highlighted by Shinto prayers in English and Japanese led by reverend Yoshinobu Miyake, chief minister of the Konko Church of Kasugaoka and a prayer by Jimenez together with Rev. Tony Yarobwebmel, deacon of St. Jude Church.

Kuentai USA was incorporated in April of 2014 to retrieve the remains of American soldiers who died on the Pacific battlefields. Kuuentai Japan has been working to retrieve remains of Japanese soldiers for nine years and recovered about 16,000 soldiers from the Philippines and 800 soldiers from Saipan.