Japan marks 78th anniversary of Battle of Okinawa (16 images)

By UPI Staff

Japan mourned the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa on Thursday and Friday. The Okinawa prefecture government held prayer ceremonies and lit candles at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman. Some 200,000 people were killed in the battle, which ended on June 23,1945, with the suicide of the local commander of the old Japanese Imperial Army.

A bereaved family member prays at the Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, Okinawa-Prefecture, Japan, on June 23, 2023. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Shimane-Prefecture police officers patrol in the Peace Memorial Park. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

The names of 365 victims were newly carved into stone monuments at the park, placing the total at 242,046. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---

Worshipers offer silent prayer during the memorial service for all war dead of the Battle of Okinawa at the Peace Memorial Park. Over 200,000 people were killed in the battle, which ended on June 23, 1945. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI

License photo | Permalink

---

---