In response to the cancellation of all exchange projects in which former islanders visit the four northern islands due to the influence of the new coronavirus, a "offshore memorial service" was held on the 6th in Rausu-cho, eastern Hokkaido, where former islanders memorialize from a ship. I was struck.
Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, all exchange projects with the four northern islands, such as "Northern Tomb Visit" and "Visaless Exchange", where former islanders visit their graves on their home island, have been canceled for the second consecutive year.
In response to this, the Rausu Branch of the Chishima Denmai Islands Residents' Federation and Rausu Town, which are made up of former islanders, planned an "offshore memorial service" in order to respond to the wishes of the former islanders.
On the 6th, 38 people, including former islanders living in Rausu Town and surrounding towns, their children and grandchildren, participated and boarded a chartered sightseeing boat before 9 am and left Rausu Port.
Then, 40 minutes later, at around 9:30, a memorial service was held at the ocean just before the so-called intermediate line between Rausu and Kunashiri Island.
An altar was set up on the ship, and the former islanders silently prayed for one minute, then burned incense one by one and joined hands toward their home island.
The ship returned to Rausu Port around 11:00 am.
Hideo Suzuki, the head of the Rausu branch, said, "For two years, the former islanders have had a hard time, but today I'm glad I was able to make a memorial service at sea."
An offshore memorial service will also be held on the 9th of this month in Betsukai Town, Eastern Hokkaido.