Iwo Jima relic to be returned from U.S. to Japanese soldier s family
A passbook that has been kept as a World War II relic for years by a group promoting U.S.-Japan ties in Washington will be returned to the family of a Japanese soldier who died in the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific more than 75 years ago.
The postal savings book was brought along with other items to the Japan-America Society of Washington DC some 10 years ago by an American man following the death of his father who had served in World War II, according to the group.
Mayor opposed to U.S. military drill site on Japan island wins re-election
A local mayor in southwestern Japan, who is opposed to having an island his city oversees become a site for U.S. military drills, won re-election on Sunday.
Shunsuke Yaita, the 67-year-old incumbent for Nishinoomote, Kagoshima Prefecture, beat Kiyonobu Fukui, who was backed by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. His victory could impact the central government s plan to allow the uninhibited Mage Island to be used for U.S. military plane takeoff and landing exercises.
Shunsuke Yaita talks to supporters after winning re-election as mayor of Nishinoomote, Kagoshima Prefecture, on Jan. 31, 2021. (Kyodo)