Japanese WWII remains cremated

THE Japanese Bone Collection Mission under the Japan Ministry of Health Welfare and Labour held a bone cremation ceremony in Muya in Lae yesterday.
The bones of the Japanese soldiers who died during World War II in and around Morobe were brought to Muya for the ceremony attended by Morobe provincial administrator Kemasang Tomala and the provincial program adviser for culture Nane Tomala, Huon district administrator Tony Ase and Wampar sub-district president Peter Namus.
The 11 members of the mission included an official from the Japanese embassy, JICA and family members of those who died in WWII.
Kazu Nojawa, a volunteer, who is married to a Wampar woman, and is  the point of contact for the relatives and liaises with locals and the Japanese to collect bones.
Among the Japanese at the ceremony yesterday was 92-year-old Nakano Kiyoka, who said he came to Papua New Guinea in the war when he was 22 years old and this was his second visit.
He said it was a privilege to come to Lae because he never had a chance during the war because they were “chased by the Australians” to Wewak from Madang while trying to come to Lae.