World War II Battle of Okinawa memorial

June 23, 2019

Residents offer prayers for the victims of the World War II Battle of Okinawa at the Cornerstone of Peace in Itoman, Japanese southern island of Okinawa, 23 June 2019. Okinawa holds a memorial service on 23 June for more than 240,000 war victims, including Americans, on the 74th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa. Nearly 20 percent of the main island of Okinawa is devoted to US military facilities. Okinawans have long complained about noise, accidents, environmental degradation and repeated crimes committed by US service personnel. EPA/HITOSHI MAESHIRO Jiji Press