THE Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) training squadron who were in Honiara yesterday received the cremated ashes of Japanese war time fallen soldiers in the country.
The handing over ceremony took place at the Solomon Islands Ports Authority main wharf last Friday.
Identified bones of nine Japanese soldiers found along the Mariama Trail along Lunga River, Guadalcanal, and which were later scientifically tested and confirmed to be that of Japanese soldiers, were handed over to be returned to loved ones in Japan.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare and Japanese Embassy in Honiara.
Masao Yamagata, general manager of Kitano Mendana Hotel who facilitated the ceremony, said the bones were collected and cremated by Japanese youths and specialist who were in the country for the last two weeks.
“The team collected 137 bones in the Mariama Trail along Lunga River, tested and have cremated them into ashes. These will be sent home with this Japanese Squadron back to Japan,” he explained.
The Navy Squadron visited the Mount Austen Japanese War Memorial, as well as the American War Memorial in Sky Line on Friday.
