Japan’s War-Bereaved Families Association Ends Overseas Memorial Tours

BANGKOK – Nippon Izokukai, the Japan War-Bereaved Families Association, is concluding its three-decade-long practice of organizing overseas memorial tours for families of those who died during World War II. The decision comes as the aging population of participants makes continuing the tours increasingly demanding as reported by The Japan Times.

A History of Remembrance

Founded in 1947 as the Japan Bereaved Family-Welfare Federation, Nippon Izokukai was established to support the families of Japanese war veterans according to Wikipedia. The association gained prominence in the 1970s through its efforts to locate and repatriate the remains of Japanese soldiers from across the country.

The Memorial Tours

For 30 years, Nippon Izokukai organized tours to countries where Japanese soldiers had perished during the war. These trips allowed family members to mourn their loved ones and connect with local communities. The final tour, a five-day visit to Myanmar, involved approximately 60 participants from 23 prefectures, ranging in age from their 50s to their 80s as detailed in The Japan Times.

Close Ties to Japanese Politics

Nippon Izokukai has maintained a close relationship with Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This connection has influenced policies related to remembrance and honoring the war dead, including the tradition of prime ministers privately visiting Yasukuni Shrine on August 15th, the anniversary of the end of World War II as noted by Wikipedia.

The Future of Remembrance

While the overseas memorial tours are ending, Nippon Izokukai continues to play a vital role in supporting war-bereaved families and promoting remembrance of Japan’s war dead. The association’s function at Yasukuni Shrine remains a central part of its mission according to Wikipedia. The cessation of these tours marks the end of an era, but the commitment to honoring those who lost their lives in service to Japan persists.