Japanese veterans visit Manokwari

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)