79years from Battle of Okinawa

Residents of Japan’s southwestern prefecture of Okinawa are solemnly commemorating the 79th anniversary of a fierce World War Two battle.

A ceremony at Itoman's Peace Memorial Park honored over 200,000 lives lost, about one-fourth of Okinawa’s civilians. June 23rd, 1945 marked the final day of combat between Japan’s Imperial military and US-led forces.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio attended the ceremony, underscoring its national significance. Throughout the day, Okinawans visited the park to pay respects, amid a declining number of war survivors, now less than 10 percent of the prefecture’s population.