Ibaraki works to keep battle of Peleliu memories aliveーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts:

• World War II conflict in Palau (Peleu)
• Ibaraki Prefecture's connection to the battle
• Mito Second Infantry Regiment
• Historical film for youth education
• Memorialization and remembrance of war
• Survivor testimonies and their importance
• The tragedy and human cost of war

Ibaraki Prefecture's Connection to the Battle of Palau

The prefecture of Ibaraki, located north of Tokyo, has a significant but lesser-known connection to the intense fighting that occurred in Palau (referred to as Pelleu in the transcript) during World War II. This conflict was particularly fierce on the southern tropical island of Pelleu.

Commemorating the Battle Through Film

To mark the anniversary of the end of the battle in November, a film was produced with the specific aim of educating the youth of Ibaraki about this tragic period in history. The film aims to depict the daily lives of the men from Ibaraki who were deployed to the island to fight, and to convey the emotional and psychological toll they experienced as they were pushed to their limits.

The Battle of Palau and Ibaraki's Losses

During the Pacific War, Palau was under Japanese control. The battle that took place there in 1944 resulted in the deaths of approximately 10,000 Japanese soldiers. A substantial portion of these casualties, around 3,000, were members of the Mito Second Infantry Regiment. This regiment was notably composed of soldiers from Ibaraki Prefecture.

Ibaraki University's Role in Historical Education

The city of Mito, which served as the garrison location for the Mito Second Infantry Regiment, now hosts a campus of Ibaraki University. Many young men who were once gathered at this site were subsequently sent into battle. Students at the university are actively learning about their story, encouraged to contemplate the thoughts and feelings of these soldiers as they trained and departed for war.

Student Engagement with the Memorial

On a particular day, students visited a memorial dedicated to the battle. Their reactions highlight a common lack of awareness: "I never knew it was right here. I passed by before, but didn't know what it was." Upon reading the monument, they learned that over 10,000 Japanese soldiers fought for their homeland on Pelleu, but tragically, only 34 returned. This stark statistic profoundly impacted the students, with one expressing, "It's hard to imagine suddenly being told that tomorrow you would go overseas to fight and knowing you might die." Another student reflected on the deeper meaning of the memorial, stating, "I used to think it was just a stone, but it's so much more. I feel like it very existence is meaningful."

The Screenwriter's Intent: Promoting Peace Education

Taka Kazuyoshi, the screenwriter behind the film about the battle, expressed his desire for young people to have more opportunities to reflect on war and peace. He acknowledged the difficulty people have in confronting war-related content, stating, "Things related to war are really hard for people to watch, aren't they? Everyone understands that war is terribly tragic, painful, and serious." Kazuyoshi emphasized that it is precisely because of this understanding that he made the film about Pelleu "as accessible as possible."

The Importance of Preserving Legacy

The last two known survivors of the battle of Pelleu passed away within the last decade. With no living witnesses remaining to recount this specific chapter of history, the efforts undertaken by individuals and institutions in Ibaraki are deemed crucial for passing on this legacy to future generations.

Conclusion

The video highlights the critical role of local communities, educational institutions, and artistic endeavors like filmmaking in preserving the memory of significant historical events, particularly those involving immense human suffering. The story of the Mito Second Infantry Regiment and the Battle of Palau serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made and the importance of learning from the past to foster a more peaceful future. The initiative by Ibaraki Prefecture, through the creation of a film and engagement with university students, demonstrates a proactive approach to ensuring that the lessons of war are not forgotten, especially as direct testimonies fade.