Japan receives soldier's skeletons

BIAK, Papua: The skeletons of 11 Japanese soldiers who died in Papua during World War II were handed over to Japan in a modest ceremony held in Kampung Paray district, Biak on Wednesday.

Representing the Indonesian government was deputy head of Biak Numfor district, Adrianus Kafiar, while Japan was represented by certain Yamaguchi.

Adrianus said the handover was based on an agreement reached by the two governments in 1993.

The Indonesian government, through the district, would help the Japanese government return the skeletons to their country of origin, said Adrianus.

Some 50,000 Japanese soldiers died in Papua during World War II, including some 30,000 in Biak Numfor. -- Antara