Iwo Jima relic to be returned from U.S. to Japanese soldier's family

Nice to see this relic being returned to the family. Recently a large temple bell was returned to Okinawa, from the family of one of the Generals who was here on island, and held as a family heirloom.

Wish there would have been a story here about that! (June 22nd NHK)

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20210622_32/

Iwoto Island,

Funny how "translators" now a days, continue with doubling the same word.

Japan may have officially changed the name from Iwo Jima, to Iwoto, but both have technically the same meaning, with the exception that "to" generally refers to a smaller island.

There is no need to add the word island here, It's still Iwo Island, even if the Japanese changed it to Iwo-to.

When it was Iwo Jima, it was never referred to as Iwo Jima Island, It was just Iwo Island, Not Iwo Jima Island!

Despite historic significance, free access to the island is still largely restricted. It should be open to general public and annual commemoration ceremony should be attended by anyone at will.

If by free access you mean the freedom to go anywhere on the island, that’s a bad idea.

“Danger UXB”. (A good 1979 television series by the way.)

I know where this going, does any one have the details for this society?

I have a Hinomaru which i bought from an American auction house some years ago, it is a typicle Hinomaru, red sun, an a white silk flag, but what makes it intresting is its covered with writing, signatures and stuff, so I showed it to my japanese friend and he said, oh it belongs to mr ( name held back) and he lives in Tondabyashi and here is the mayors signature etc! since then i have tried in vain to return it to this family but things turned for the worced as my freind had a masive stroke, and our investigations came to a stop as hes lost his speach etc.

I have written to the mayor of Tondabayashi, and he passed my letter onto verious dept and got a letter back giving me some breif details about the young man who was killed, but due to data protection they didnt or cant give me any more details, but I would love to give it back to the family

If any one can help me return this flag inc the moderators ! I would appreciate it.

if this article below from youtube does not bring a tear to your eyes, i am speechless,

https://youtu.be/t5SA2ZXy74c

although its only a savings book these tiny little objects can have a long lasting effect on people.

@Brian Wheway The Obon Society helps to return objects like the flag you have to families in Japan. Here is their website https://obonsociety.org/eng/

Despite historic significance, free access to the island is still largely restricted. It should be open to general public and annual commemoration ceremony should be attended by anyone at will.

I have seen Iwo Jima from a distance, even have a couple of photos I took from our ship as our task group sailed by. It is a small island dominated by a JSDF air and ground base. There are no civilian facilities there. The airport is not certified for civil use. The only navigation aids are a TACAN, which is a UHF navigation aid civil users do not have access too since the signal can be encrypted. TACAN is strictly a military navigation aid. It also has a Non Directional Beacon, which would allow a pilot to find the island but gives a pilot no compass heading information necessary to land at the airport in instrument meteorological conditions.

Despite historic significance, free access to the island is still largely restricted. It should be open to general public and annual commemoration ceremony should be attended by anyone at will.

I have seen Iwo Jima from a distance, even have a couple of photos I took from our ship as our task group sailed by. It is a small island dominated by a JSDF air and ground base. There are no civilian facilities there. The airport is not certified for civil use. The only navigation aids are a TACAN, which is a UHF navigation aid civil users do not have access too since the signal can be encrypted. TACAN is strictly a military navigation aid. It also has a Non Directional Beacon, which would allow a pilot to find the island but gives a pilot no compass heading information necessary to land at the airport in instrument meteorological conditions.

@mountainpear, I know of the obon society, but the problem I have with them is i have to surender my flag to them 100%, and it becomes there's, if any contact is made with the original owners family i have no say, contact, with any party, which is not what i want, I would still like to be involved with the process of returning it back as its ment so much to me, and I hope the original owner family can treasure its return.