Family members of Japanese nationals who died during detention in Mongolia after World War Two have stressed the importance of peace at a memorial event.
About 14,000 Imperial Japanese military personnel and Japanese civilians were detained by the former Soviet Union after the war and sent to Mongolia via Siberia. About 1,700 of them are believed to have died from cold, hunger, hard labor and other causes.
The event was held on Sunday in Chiba City, near Tokyo, to mark 80 years since the war ended.
The Mongolian ambassador to Japan, Banzragch Bayarsaikhan, gave a speech. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace, and expressed hope that warm, friendly bilateral ties will continue.
Suzuki Fusae from Tokyo's Komae City lost her father in Mongolia. She accompanied the Japanese Emperor and Empress when they paid their respects to the deceased Japanese during their official visit to Mongolia in July.
Suzuki said she remembers the Imperial couple observing a moment of silence in the rain at the memorial. She said the sky completely cleared after their prayers and they bowed deeply again. She described the scene as the most impressive moment in her life.
Suzuki spoke about the structures built by the detained Japanese that are still standing today. She said they were carefully constructed without machinery, and she feels proud of her father and the other detained people. She expressed hope that the structures will be used to promote peace.
A participant in his 60s said he had never heard that Japanese nationals were detained in Mongolia, and he thinks it is important to pass on the memories of what happened.

Published Date:2025-09-01