ADDRESS BY PRIME MINISTER TAKAICHI SANAE FOR THE MEMORIAL CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE FALLEN ON THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA

TOKYO, June 23 -- Prime Minister and His Cabinet issued the following information:

[Provisional Translation]



On the occasion of the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 81st Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa, I offer my heartfelt mourning for the souls of those who lost their lives in the ravages of war and to all those who fell on the battlefield during the Battle of Okinawa.



During the war, Okinawa became the scene of a horrifying ground battle. More than 200,000 precious lives were lost, including innocent civilians and members of the Japanese armed forces from both within and outside Okinawa Prefecture. Okinawa's beautiful natural environment and rich culture were mercilessly destroyed.



This year, t...