Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has expressed his resolve that the ravages of war will never be repeated on the 79th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa.
Kishida gave an address at the annual memorial ceremony on Sunday in Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture.
He said that during World War Two, Okinawa was the scene of a dreadful ground battle, and the disposal of unexploded bombs and the recovery of the remains of the victims are still continuing.
He also said that people living today have the duty of passing on the reality of the Battle of Okinawa and the preciousness of peace to the next generation.
Referring to the 80th anniversary of the battle next year, Kishida said that thanks to the tireless efforts made by the people of Okinawa to date, the region’s economy has achieved steady growth and the lives of its residents have significantly improved.
He indicated that the government will continue making efforts to realize a strong Okinawan economy as a national strategy.
Kishida said the people of Okinawa bear the heavy burden of having a concentration of US bases in the prefecture.
He said the government takes this seriously, and will make the utmost efforts to reduce the burden.
The prime minister said Japan has consistently pursued its course as a peaceful nation since the end of World War Two.
He pledged that Japan will make efforts to realize a world in which all people on the globe can live in a peaceful and spiritually rich manner.