Okinawa Peace Memorial Park (Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Japan)

June 23 is an important day in Okinawan history; it is Memorial Day commemorating the end of the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. The day pays tribute to the over 200,000 victims of this conflict.

Memorial Day is an official holiday for Okinawa. At noon, a siren will blare at some locations on the island for one minute during which Okinawans will pray silently for the deceased and peace. If you hear the siren, please join them and pay tribute to the victims.

The remembrance also includes an annual ceremony at Itoman City’s Okinawa Heiwa Kinen Koen, commonly known as Okinawa Peace Memorial Park. Leadership from the U.S. military, as well as Okinawan and Japanese government officials, are expected to attend.

The ceremony on June 23 starts at 11:50 a.m. Please note there will be traffic restrictions in the area, so members of the public attending should use public transportation.

Okinawa Zen-Senbotsusha Tsuitoshiki (Memorial Ceremony for all the victims of the Battle of Okinawa)