Japanese tourist group completes Wewak trip

By GYNNIE KERO
IT is that time of the year when Japanese tourists arrive in the country to visit war
sites and pay tribute to those who lost their lives in New Guinea during World War II.
One group called War Memorial, with more than 50 members, completed a week- long trip to Wewak, East Sepik, last week.
During the tour, the group visited several sites around Wewak, including the islands where their forefathers had fallen during battle.
The group visited a primary school and the hospital and
donated gifts as a token of friendship between the two nations.
Tour leader Yamauchi Tadahori said the purpose of their trip was to honour their forefathers who lost their lives 68 years ago on New Guinea and to strengthen the relationship between Japan and Papua New Guinea.
He said the gifts were nothing big because what “matters is friendship and peace among all countries”.
Tadahori said there should be no more war anywhere.
Wewak’s Boram Hospital chief executive officer Dr
Lawrence Warangi thanked the Japanese community for the donation of the new wheelchair, saying it was very encouraging to see them helping the hospital.
He said it was not the first time they had helped the hospital.
The group donated stationery and sporting equipment to St Mary’s Primary School during the visit.