Japan Imperial Family Mourns 80th Okinawa Battle Dead

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and their daughter Princess Aiko conducted a solemn two-day visit to Okinawa to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa, one of World War II's bloodiest conflicts. The visit marked Princess Aiko's first to Okinawa and reflected the imperial family's dedication to passing the memory of the war to future generations. They paid respects at multiple sites including the National War Dead Peace Mausoleum, the Cornerstone of Peace monument, and a monument commemorating the victims of the 1944 sinking of the Tsushima Maru evacuation ship, where close to 1,500 people, many of them children, were killed in a U.S. attack. The family met survivors and bereaved relatives, offering condolences and encouragement, and also visited museums preserving the history of the battle, such as the Tsushima-Maru Memorial Museum and Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum. Their pilgrimage underscored a commitment to peace amid contemporary regional tensions, particularly concerns over conflict with China, and included inspection of reconstruction efforts at Shuri Castle and participation in an exhibition commemorating Okinawa's return to Japanese rule. The imperial family's engagement highlights both remembrance of wartime sacrifices and a hope for lasting peace.