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Hofschneider welcomes imperial couple’s planned visit to the NMI
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Posted on Apr 19 2005
Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider said he was delighted by as yet unofficially confirmed word that Japan’s imperial couple will visit Saipan in late June, reportedly as a memorial to the many thousands of Japanese who died throughout the Pacific during World War II.
Japan’s national Mainichi Shinbun reported the planned visit recently, emphasizing that the United States has announced that it welcomes the visit. While 2005 is the 60th anniversary of the end of the war, the visit will not coincide with many ceremonies planned to commemorate the occasion later in the year.
Hofschneider said there is “broad and deep meaning to this visit for many in the CNMI who trace their origins back to the period of Japanese rule and earlier. We have extended invitations over the years, and would be honored by this renewal of the unique bond between our communities.”
Hofschneider said that, “The imperial couple will find that many of the cultural and social traditions from that time have endured here. This has been in itself a major attraction over the years for the millions of Japanese who have visited our shores since our islands became a major tourist destination.”
According to the newspaper account, the Japanese government has already sent an advance team to scout out a 1974 war memorial erected by the Japanese government in Marpi, which will be the site of a wreath-laying ceremony by the emperor and empress during their visit.
The Mainichi Shinbun said Japan entered into discussions with U.S. officials over the trip in February based on a request from the emperor and empress. The United States then reportedly conveyed its approval of the trip to Japanese Embassy officials at the beginning of April. (PR)
