During the Pacific War, a group of Japanese soldiers attempted to escape from a prisoner of war camp in Australia and were shot dead, killing 231 people.
On August 5, 1944, about 1,100 former Japanese soldiers escaped from a prisoner of war camp in Cowra, southeastern Australia, and 231 died, including being shot dead by guards.
It has been 78 years since the incident in five days, and due to the spread of the new corona infection, a memorial service was held for the first time in three years, and the local mayor and others offered a silent prayer at the site of the camp.
Afterwards, more than 100 people from both countries laid wreaths at the cemetery where the soldiers are buried.
Japan's Ambassador to Australia, Shingo Yamagami, said, "I feel the weight of reconciliation between Japan and Australia when people from Australia came to pay their respects." , I want to show the world that we have built a cooperative relationship."
High school student exchange programs have continued between Cowra and Japan for more than 50 years, and two international students visiting from Japan also attended the ceremony.
Aya Higashi, a third-year student at Seikei High School in Musashino City, Tokyo, said, "I didn't know much about the history of POWs in Japan, so I want to tell many people what I learned there."