On June 23, Japan's Okinawa Prefecture held a memorial ceremony marking 81 years since the end of the ground battle of World War II, one of the bloodiest confrontations between Japanese and American forces. According to local authorities, the fighting, which lasted from March to June 1945, killed more than 200,000 people, including soldiers from both sides and Okinawan civilians.
During the ceremony, Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki emphasized the importance of peace, urging younger generations not to forget the lessons of history. Many local residents and veterans attended to pay tribute to the victims, offering incense and laying wreaths at memorial sites across the island. The event served not only as a remembrance of the past but also to reinforce a commitment to building a peaceful future for the region.
