Special Ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the People’s return from Chuuk
2026/1/30
On 30 January 2026, Ambassador of Japan to Nauru, H.E. Mr. Hiroshi TAJIMA, attended the special ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the people’s return from Chuuk.
Prior to the ceremony, Ambassador Tajima laid flowers at the World WarII Memorial Monument and offered prayers for the souls of those who perished and survived during the war. This memorial monument was established in 2021 to commemorate the forced relocation of approximately 1,200 Nauruans in 1943 to the Chuuk Islands, which were then under Japanese administration, during the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945 in the course of World War II. After the war, around 740 of them were able to return to Nauru. The silence of the moment spoke louder than words – a tribute to lives lost and a reminder of the enduing cost of war.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Tajima also met with wartime survivors whose memories bridge past and present. He intently listened to their stories of hardship, resilience and hope. Their voices, filled with both sorrow and strength, underscored the importance of remembrance and the shared commitment to peace for future generations.
Prior to the ceremony, Ambassador Tajima laid flowers at the World WarII Memorial Monument and offered prayers for the souls of those who perished and survived during the war. This memorial monument was established in 2021 to commemorate the forced relocation of approximately 1,200 Nauruans in 1943 to the Chuuk Islands, which were then under Japanese administration, during the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945 in the course of World War II. After the war, around 740 of them were able to return to Nauru. The silence of the moment spoke louder than words – a tribute to lives lost and a reminder of the enduing cost of war.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Tajima also met with wartime survivors whose memories bridge past and present. He intently listened to their stories of hardship, resilience and hope. Their voices, filled with both sorrow and strength, underscored the importance of remembrance and the shared commitment to peace for future generations.