Okinawa's "Memorial Day" 81 Years After the War: About 70 Participants Including National Co-op Staff and Local Residents March Through a Fierce Battlefield

Pal System Federation (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku Okubo, Chairman: Atsuyuki Shibusawa) participated in the "34th 6.23 Family Peace Walk" hosted by the Co-op Okinawa (Headquarters: Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture, Representative Director Chairman: Tadashi Furukaji) on June 23, 2026 (Tue). On "Memorial Day," 81 years after the war, we walked through Itoman City, the site of the last fierce battle of the Battle of Okinawa, and reflected on the horrors of war and the meaning of peace.

Marching While Recalling the Past in Itoman, the "Last Fierce Battlefield"

The "6.23 Family Peace Walk" was held on June 23 (Tue), designated as "Memorial Day" by Okinawa Prefecture. This day marks the end of organized fighting by the Japanese military, and prayers are offered throughout the prefecture to mourn the war dead.

On the day, 12 staff members from Pal System Federation and Pal System Mutual Aid Co-operative Federation (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Chairman: Atsuyuki Shibusawa) participated, marching alongside co-op staff and local residents from 13 organizations gathered from across the country.

The approximately 3-kilometer course started from the "Peace Creation Forest Park Multipurpose Plaza" in Itoman City, with stops at the remains of houses where entire families were wiped out, natural caves (gamas) used as shelters, and memorial towers.

Carrying banners with messages of peace collected within their workplaces, participants walked for about 90 minutes while receiving explanations about the situation at the time from local residents. Amidst the muggy heat of nearly 30 degrees Celsius, they contemplated the horrific situation of being chased by artillery shells during wartime and the lives of the people who lived in this land.

▲ Marching with banners bearing messages of peace ▲ Together with co-op staff from across the country

Komesu Beach, a stop during the march, was the site of the last fierce battle of the Battle of Okinawa. On this beach, where Japanese soldiers and residents, cornered by the US military, fled in disarray, they were attacked by flamethrowers from the land, crowded by warships at sea, and assaulted from the air, resulting in the loss of many lives.

At noon, which coincided with the march, participants stopped and observed a minute of silence.

▲ "Komesu Beach," the last fierce battlefield ▲ Reflecting on today, 81 years ago

Visiting "Kakazu" and Other Fierce Battlefield Sites

The day before the peace walk, participants inspected war sites around Henoko, where the relocation of a new base is being debated, and Kakazu Takadai Park, observing bullet marks and sturdy reinforced concrete defensive positions called "tokkas" (pillboxes).

Mr. Tateru Agarie, Executive Managing Director of Okinawa Prefectural Co-operative Federation (Headquarters: Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture, Chairman Director: Tadashi Furukaji), served as a guide at these sites and on the bus, explaining the history from the Ryukyu Kingdom era to the present, the reality of the Battle of Okinawa, and current base issues.

He appealed to the participants, saying, "We hope you will continue to be interested in Okinawa and think of it as your own concern."

▲ Executive Managing Director Agarie explaining in front of a "tokka" ▲ Inspecting the current situation off Henoko

Preparatory Study Session to Deepen Understanding of the Battle of Okinawa

Participating staff members deepened their understanding through a preparatory study session on the Battle of Okinawa before embarking on the peace walk.

They learned through various means, such as browsing books, watching documentary films, and viewing interview videos of people involved, and shared their thoughts on peace.

▲ Preparatory study session at the office (June 17, 2026) ▲ Encouragement from last year's participants

After completing the peace walk, the staff members shared their impressions, stating, "It was a valuable experience to walk on land where so many lives were lost and to hear the thoughts of the people living in Okinawa," and "I want to convey what I learned and felt this time to my colleagues and family at work, and spread interest in peace."

It was an opportunity for each individual to realize the necessity of thinking about peace and conveying its importance.

▲ 2026 Participants

Pal System will continue to work with its users to address wars and conflicts that are still occurring around the world as if they were their own concerns, and to strive for the realization of a peaceful society.

Pal System Co-operative Federation

Location: 2-2-6 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Rakus East Shinjuku, Chairman: Atsuyuki Shibusawa 12 Member Co-ops / Unified Business System User Co-ops Total Business Sales: 268.96 billion yen / Total Members: 1.77 million (as of the end of March 2026) Member Co-ops: Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, Pal System Mutual Aid Federation, Ai Co-op Miyagi HP: https://www.pal-system.co.jp/