Japanese offer prayers at World War II memorial in Kohima

The farthest that the Japanese Army reached in its invasion of India during the Second World War was Kohima. The tennis court atop a hill in Kohima was the scene of a fierce battle.

By Rokono

Kohima (Nagaland), June 16 : The farthest that the Japanese Army reached in its invasion of India during the Second World War was Kohima. The tennis court atop a hill in Kohima was the scene of a fierce battle.

The location is now a war memorial. It is visited by British as well as Japanese who want to pay respect to their ancestors.

Niimi Nobuko and Kamiya Yukimasa were among the Japanese visitors, who recently visited the Kohima cemetery. After praying for the soul of his ancestors who lost their lives in the Second World War, Yukimasa said: "I am pleased to see the change in youth here. I met the Chief Minister, who said that every religion has to participate in peace and peace lies in development."

The land for a special memorial for Japanese soldiers has been allotted by the State Government in 2005, but construction has not begun, pending statutory clearance from the local and Central governments.

The idea of setting up a Japanese World War II memorial at Chedeme village at Kohima was initiated in 2005 by then Tourism Minister of the state to tap tourism potential of the state.

During the World War II, the Japanese army fought around Kohima in 1944, known as Battle of Kohima. Though the invaders could make some initial successes, the British army managed to end the siege.

ANI