In a poignant reunion, descendants of Japanese residents who remained in the southern region of Sakhalin following World War II have returned to Japan for the first time in five years to participate in a traditional graveside ceremony. The visit, which took place on September 7th in Sapporo, Hokkaido, is part of Japan’s Hokkaido and Karafuto Resettlers Temporary Return Project supported by the country’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
A Long Journey Home
Sakhalin’s southern region, known as South Karafuto before World War II, was under Japanese rule. The project’s aim is to allow individuals with roots in the region, including those who have lived in Russia since the war’s end, to return to Japan for a temporary period. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the program was suspended, halting the annual graveside ceremonies.
This year, the suspension came to an end, and a group of 12 individuals with connections to Japan traveled to Japan to honor their ancestors. The group visited a cemetery in Sapporo’s南区, where they stood before the Japanese Resettler Joint Tomb dedicated to those who had once lived in the region.
Embracing Memories and Healing Old Wounds
The visit was deeply emotional for many participants. One woman, who was a fetus in her mother’s womb when the war ended and she was living in South Karafuto, expressed her relief at being able to pay her respects again after a five-year absence. She said, I have been longing to come here for five years. I told my mother, who is buried here, that I would return, and I asked her to rest in peace.
The graveside ceremony was not only a time for remembrance but also a chance for healing. Participants used their fingers to trace the names of their relatives etched on the tombstones, a physical connection to the past that had been absent for years.
The Temporary Return Project
The Hokkaido and Karafuto Resettlers Temporary Return Project is a program designed to facilitate the return of individuals with ties to the region to Japan. It is intended to provide them with the opportunity to reconnect with their cultural heritage and pay their respects to their ancestors.
The project has been instrumental in fostering a sense of community among the descendants of the Japanese settlers, many of whom have never visited Japan. The recent visit is a testament to the power of memory and the importance of honoring the past.
The Broader Context
The return of the Sakhalin descendants to Japan is part of a broader historical narrative. The region of Sakhalin has been a site of significant geopolitical and cultural change over the past century. The Japanese colonization of the region in the early 20th century and its subsequent transfer to the Soviet Union at the end of World War II have left a lasting impact on the local population.
The temporary return project and the recent visit to Japan are part of an ongoing effort to bridge the gap between different communities and to foster mutual understanding and respect.
Conclusion
The return of the Japanese descendants from Sakhalin to Japan for the first time in five years is a powerful reminder of the enduring connections between people and their cultural heritage. It is a testament to the resilience of memory and the importance of honoring the past. As the descendants pay their respects to their ancestors, they also contribute to the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation in the region.
Views: 0