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Okinawans hope against a repeat of World War II
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Posted on Jun 02 2005
The lieutenant governor of Okinawa, Noriaki Kakazu, who is on island for the 40th Nation Nanyo Kai Saipan Ceremony, said he and his fellow countrymen hope that the war would not happen again.
During the ceremony held Wednesday night at the Hafa Adai Hotel garden, Kakazu said, “It has been 60 years since the war ended. Remembering many important lives taken away by the big battle, we truly feel not to repeat the terrible war again.”
He said he hopes that the 40th Nation Naknyo Kai ceremony will help people understand each other more and tighten mutual bonds more closely.
Delegation chair Choken Ginoza thanked the presence of CNMI government officials that night and said they were glad to hold the ceremony with participants from all prefectures in Japan.
The group held its first ceremony at Takarazuka City in November 1966.
Ginoza said they have held the ceremony in various prefectures and on Nanyo Island every year and that they have continued the ceremony for 40 years, thanks to the support of the Nanyo Island Association, the Nankko Kai Association, the Micronesia Repatriation Association of Okinawa and its members.
Although this year’s ceremony will be the last for the group, both said they hope to maintain the friendship between Japan and the CNMI. “The bond of our friendship with the local people will never fade out,” Ginoza said.
Other speakers during the evening ceremony were Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, Japan consul Takeo Saito, Okinawa governor Keiichi Inamine, delegation chair Tokugoro Kuribayashi, and Tetsuo Deguchi.
The delegates were entertained by CNMI cultural dance troupes such as the Inatuas, Island Warriors and Palauan dance troupe. The delegation also presented a certificate of appreciation to Saipan Botanical Garden vice president Junichi Sumitomo.
On Tuesday morning, the more than 300 delegates visited the Tower of Okinawa in Marpi at 10am for a memorial ceremony. CNMI government officials and private sector officers attended the ceremony.
The delegates held the same ceremony on Tinian yesterday and on Rota today.
