INDONESIAN-JAPANESE TEAM RECOVERS WWII SOLDIERS' REMAINS IN PAPUA

JAKARTA, June 30 (Bernama) -- A collaborative effort between Indonesia and Japan has successfully retrieved nine human remains believed to be that of Japanese soldiers from World War II, in the Biak Numfor district of Papua Province.

Led by Indonesia’s Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry and supported by Japan, the discovery aims strengthen historical understanding for Japanese tourists visiting the region.

“The human remains, currently in Jakarta, will undergo DNA testing for conclusive identification,” the ministry’s culture director general Hilmar Farid said in a statement.

The initiative builds upon bilateral agreements dating back to 2019 on the excavation, collection, and repatriation of the remains of Japanese soldiers who died in the war in Papua Province and West Papua Province.

The ministry’s cultural preservation director Judi Wahjudin emphasised the operation’s broader significance, highlighting agreements extended to 2025 as a commitment to historical preservation and international cooperation.

“Our objective is to provide closure to affected families and communities by identifying these soldiers, supporting local socio-economic development, preserving historical resources, and proceeding with repatriation upon identification,” he added.

He said unearthing remains of nine Japanese soldiers reflects a small number compared to the extensive deployment of tens of thousands of Japanese troops across the islands during World War II.

The year 1944 marked a critical juncture for the islands, witnessing intense battles between Japanese and American forces, notably in Biak Numfor and various regions of Papua.

-- BERNAMA