The ashes collected in Itoman City, which became a fierce battlefield during the Battle of Okinawa at the end of the Pacific War, were confirmed by DNA analysis and returned to the bereaved family.
Although there were no relics that could lead to his identity, the testimony was based on the testimony of a person nearby at that time, so it was the first time for a war dead in the Battle of Okinawa to identify by DNA test using the testimony as a clue.
Since 2003, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has been conducting DNA testing to identify the remains of war dead.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, a DNA test was conducted on the remains of one of the war dead collected in Itoman City, which was the fierce battlefield of the Battle of Okinawa, and it was said that they had a blood relationship with the bereaved family at an expert meeting last December. It means that it was confirmed.
No relics such as name tags indicating the identity were found near the remains, but it is said that a person who was near the site at that time gave testimony about the identity and the appraisal was carried out.
This is the sixth person to identify the remains of the war dead in the Battle of Okinawa by DNA testing, and the first time they have been identified by a testimony-based test.
In the future, it will be returned to the bereaved family through Okinawa Prefecture, and it will be considered whether to announce the identity of the ashes and the detailed location where they were found, based on the intention of the bereaved family.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has decided that the remains of war dead collected in all areas including the Battle of Okinawa will be subject to DNA testing even if there are no relics or testimony. We are looking for the desired bereaved family.