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New Japanese memorial unveiled at Banzai Cliff
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Posted on May 19 2008
A monument honoring the hundreds of Japanese civilians who jumped to their deaths during the last days of the Pacific War was unveiled yesterday at Banzai Cliff.
About 200 members of the Nenpou Shinkyo Kongouji joined government officials and community members in the unveiling ceremony for the Nenpou Shinkyou Memorial Cenotaph in the Marpi area.
The monument was donated by the Head Temple of Nenpou Shinkyou Kongouji.
According to Pacific Enterprises vice president Ayako Matsumoto, whose company helped coordinate the event, the monument will serve as a peace memorial as well as a site for prayer.
President of Head Temple Nenpou Shinkyou Ryoyu Okeya said the group is on island to offer their prayers to all those who lost their lives during the war, “and to offer prayers to everlasting world peace.”
Lt. Gov. Tim P. Villagomez shared Matsumoto and Okeya’s hope for an interminable peace.
“We pray that these losses will never again be suffered by the people of our nations and that the message of peace will prevail in the world for generations to come. Let this monument in Saipan serve as a reminder for all who visit, that healing is possible, and that the path to the future is one of peace,” Villagomez said.
The unveiling ceremony was also attended by Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, Department of Public Works Secretary Diego B. Songsong, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio, Department of Public Lands Secretary John Del Rosario, Japanese Consul General Tsutomu Higuchi, former president of Nenpou Shinkyou Reishin Hasegawa, and members of the Nenpou Shinkyou.
