Imphal: Japanese ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu Sunday expressed “remorse” for the deaths caused by Japanese bombings in Manipur during World War-II.
The ambassador is in Imphal for the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Imphal, which took place during World War-II. A programme was organised by the Manipur tourism department, Manipur Tourism Forum and Second World War Imphal Campaign Foundation at a hotel here last night to commemorate the event. Chief minister Nongthombam Biren Singh also attended the programme.
Earlier Sunday, Hiramatsu and others paid floral tributes at the India Peace Memorial at Maibam Lotpa Ching in Bishnupur district. The memorial was constructed in memory of Japanese soldiers killed during the Second World War, reported The Telegraph.
Japanese planes bombed Imphal three times, starting from March 10, 1942. The last bombings took place at Khurai in Imphal East district on May 20, 1943. On that day, a bomb hit a gathering of around 200 people, including women and children, who had come to attend a religious feast. More than 100 people were killed and many were maimed by the attack.
Hiramatsu today attended a memorial service at the site of the tragedy, where a memorial stone has been put up. The service was organised by the Chingangbam Mandop Sevayat Committee to remember those killed in the bombardment.
The ambassador, relatives of those killed in the bombing, members of the Manipur Tourism Forum and the Imphal Campaign Foundation paid floral tributes to those killed.
While addressing the gathering, Hiramatsu read out a message sent by the Japanese Prime Minister on the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Imphal. The message pledged not to wage war against any country again.
“I pray for the victims of the bombings. I express remorse for those who suffered during the war,” the ambassador said.
He said Japan was looking forward to having a good relationship with India, in particular the Northeast and Manipur. “We will contribute whatever we can to enhance economic and social activities in Manipur. I have discussed Manipur’s development with chief minister (Biren Singh) this morning and I promised him help from Japan,” Hiramatsu said.
Addressing yesterday’s commemoration programme, the ambassador said the Japanese government has decided to invite 25 young people from Manipur and Nagaland to the country for exposure. He also said the Japanese government was planning to organise a seminar here in November this year.
Addressing yesterday’s programme, Biren Singh said the World War-II was one of the greatest events of the world that changed the course of the history of mankind. “We all witnessed the unfathomable destruction, human tragedies leaving behind irreparable relationships amidst the transformation in the demographic profiles of many nations,” he said.
Burma Campaign Society’s Akiko Macdonald also attended the commemoration programme.