天皇てんのうご一家いっか 沖縄おきなわ訪問ほうもん 学童がくどう疎開そかい船せん「対馬つしま丸まる」の犠牲ぎせい者しゃを慰霊いれい

The Imperial family, who have been visiting Okinawa Prefecture since the 4th to pay respects to the war dead, visited the memorial for the Tsushima Maru, a student evacuation ship sunk by the U.S. military during the war, in Naha City, and offered their condolences to the souls of those who lost their lives.

On the 4th, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and their eldest daughter, Princess Aiko, who offered prayers for the war dead and spoke with Okinawa battle survivors and young storytellers at Itoman City, the site of the last fierce battle of the Battle of Okinawa, visited the memorial for the victims of the Tsushima-maru in Naha City shortly before 10:30 a.m. on the 5th.

The Tsushima Maru was sunk by the American military in August of 1944, the year before the war ended, while carrying schoolchildren evacuating from Okinawa to Kyushu. Nearly 1,500 people died, including over 780 schoolchildren whose deaths were confirmed.

In 2014, the year before the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita also visited this place. The Imperial family offered white bouquets in front of the memorial monument, paid their respects, and offered prayers for the souls of the victims.

Next, they visited the memorial museum nearby that tells the tragedy of the Tsushima Maru.

Inside the building, there are displays of more than 400 portraits of the schoolchildren and accompanying teachers who lost their lives, as well as mementos such as pencil cases. The family listened to the directors explanation, occasionally nodding as they did so.

After this, His Majesty the Emperor had a conversation with survivors and bereaved families of the Tsushima Maru. He spoke to Masakatsu Takara 85, a survivor of the Tsushima Maru who lost nine family members, saying things like, It must have been truly difficult for you in many ways.

After viewing a special exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Okinawa International Ocean Expo, which was held as a project to mark the return of Okinawa to the mainland, the family will visit the reconstruction site of Shuri Castle, which was destroyed in a fire six years ago.

From the people who attended the meeting, Masakatsu Takara 85 said, after the conversation with the Imperial Family, I was impressed by how well Her Majesty the Empress knew about me and my family—so much so that I thought there was nothing left for me to say.

I felt deeply honored that members of the Imperial Family are showing interest in the Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum, and it made me realize once again the importance of maintaining it properly.

I thought that the memorial plays a very important role in letting many people know about the tragedy of the Tsushima-maru and in maintaining peace, he said.

Mr. Masatsune Wataguchi 74, who lost his two older brothers on the Tsushima-maru, said after the meeting with the Imperial family, I was so nervous that I dont really remember what we talked about, but I thought about the Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum, which conveys the message of peace. Ever since the time of the Emperor Emeritus, they have shown their concern, and I believe it was an opportunity to renew thoughts about the foolishness of wars that sacrifice children.

Also, Reiko Shimada 69, whose uncle was a victim of the Tsushima Maru incident and who works as a storyteller at the memorial museum, said, Her Majesty the Empress asked me what kind of message I convey as a storyteller.

I told Princess Aiko, Lets create peace together.

I felt that Their Majesties truly care about Okinawa.

With Princess Aiko being here with us this time, I felt that I, too, must convey the messages of the children who lost their lives on the Tsushima-maru to the children of the future, she said.

The guide was Director Taira of the Tsushima Maru Memorial Museum, whose mother was a survivor of the Tsushima Maru. Director Tsugiko Taira, who served as a guide for the Imperial family, said, I want this museum to fulfill the role of thoroughly conveying the sadness and suffering experienced by those who went through the war. Upon hearing this, Their Majesties encouraged her, saying, Please do your best.

Aiko-sama also listened attentively and was easy to talk to, they said.

A man who watched Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Princess Aiko head to the Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum from the roadside said that he lost his aunt, who was on board the Tsushima-maru.

The man said, I think people in Okinawa are viewing this visit while also considering Okinawas history to some extent.

This year marks 80 years since the end of the war, and I think it may be the last opportunity for survivors to share their testimonies, so I hope people will keep Okinawa in their hearts, they said.

On the second day of their visit to Okinawa, many people lined the streets. Near an intersection in Naha City on the 5th, many people gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, as well as Princess Aiko.

The husband in his 50s, who visited Urasoe City with his wife, said, We are grateful that you care so much about Okinawa.

I hope that this visit will help boost tourism to places like Shurijo Castle, they said.

The wife in her 40s said, I would like Princess Aiko to know both that we were saddened by the Shuri Castle fire and that now we are facing forward with smiles.