Okinawa Memorial Day

The Battle of Okinawa was the only ground engagement of the Pacific War fought on Japanese soil.

Over 240,000 people died and numerous buildings on the island were destroyed along with countless historical documents, artifacts and cultural treasures.

It is estimated that about the half of the war victims were local Okinawan residents, among them children.

During the occupation of Japan, in 1961, Okinawa Memorial Day was made a holiday by the Government of the Ryukyu Islands in order to remember and pray for their family members and relatives who were killed during the Battle of Okinawa.

The names of over two hundred and forty thousand people who died are inscribed on the memorial.