Japanese veterans visit Manokwari

MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: About 25 Japanese war veterans are currently in town to commemorate their tour of duty in World War II against the allied forces in the area.

The visit marks a commitment to improving ties between Indonesia and Japan, said Benny Lesomar, chairman of PT Biak Irian Wisata, the travel agency which has organized the visit.

The Japanese war veterans will visit several places of interest, especially those linked to World War II, such as the Amban coast, Mount Meja, and the Wesi coast, where the first Japanese troops landed in Irian.

They will also visit caves they used as a fortress. Biak was a Japanese occupation troops' stronghold in the 1940s.

An estimated 3,000 Japanese soldiers were killed in fierce battles in Biak 51 years ago, Antara reported. (pan)