WWII Japanese soldiers finally going home

BANAUE, Ifugao – At estimated 10,000 bone fragments belonging to fallen Japanese soldiers during World War II were cremated in this northern Luzon province over the weekend. “After 65 years, the departed may now rest in peace," said Osamu Konishi, a former Japanese congressman who is spearheading the search for thousands of Japanese soldiers who died overseas during WWII but whose remains were never brought home. Usan Kurata, managing director of Kunetai, a Japanese non-government organization working for the recovery of the soldiers’ remains, said the bones had to be burned to appease their descendants. Several descendants of the WWII soldiers were present during the ritual called shokut, which was presided by a komuso (Japanese priest). During the ceremony that was held Nov. 22, prayers were chanted accompanied by the sound of gongs, while incense and candles were lit. “This is for them to rest in peace," said Eryu, the Japanese priest. The bones – collected from as far as the Negros provinces – were arranged in five neat lines placed over pure white cloth. Offerings for the dead included candies, cherry blossoms, garlands, Japanese rice, and salt. After the cremation, Eryu went down from the makeshift altar and helped retrieve the ashes and bone fragments. He didn’t use gloves as it is believed in Japanese culture that divine power protects men of the church. Cesar Abluyen, chairman of Barangay Uhah where the cremation took place, said this was already the third batch of bone fragments cremated during the year. The last cremation occurred last August in Kiangan town where Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita and his men made their last stand before surrendering to Filipino and American forces in September 1945. Judith Alindayo of the Banaue Public Employment Service Office said the event was part of the efforts by the Philippine government to strengthen its ties with one of the world’s most powerful nations. After the ritual, the 20-man Japanese delegation bade farewell to the Ifugao natives with the ashes of their countrymen placed inside 100 boxes, which will be flown back to their land of birth for proper burial. Toba Hiyori, a 27-year-old descendant who played the trumpet at the start of the shokut, said the souls of the soldiers could now rest in peace after many years of being deprived of decent rites. - with Floro Taguinod/KK, GMANews.TV