Against oblivion: In a ceremony in Iwo Jima, American and Japanese soldiers commemorate the victims of the battle in 1945.The Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan commemorated the victims of the Battle of Iwo Jima/WWII in Tokyo this week. Thanks to the movies "Flags of Our Fathers" and "Letters from Iwo Jima" also the younger generation is familiar with the island in the Pacific.
Between February 19 and March 26 in 1945, one of the most bloody battles between Japanese and American soldiers was taking place. At the end, the Americans lost 6,821 soldiers, the Japanese lost 21,570 soldiers, only 216 men survived.
The island was strategic - the Japanese were able to spot American fleets early and forewarn Tokyo, the USA could support their bombers and provide figther jets for them - and clear the way for the bombers, who could attack the capital from the air without having an obstacle.
66 years later, there are still remains of 13,000 fallen Japanese soldiers missing in Iwo Jima. Kan, in collaboration with the Americans, has taken action to find the fatal victims. It has already been successful - last year, 822 remains could be repatriated. Kan intends to go on and says "It`s our country`s obligation to continue the work".
He also wants to gain votes from the more conservative electors.
Today, Iwo Jima is the military base for the Japanese vigilante group. To gain entry, a special permission is required.
Translated summary by me
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Wed Jun 27, 2012 8:25 pm by 
Subject: A chapter which is not closed 
