慰霊祭の後には、ホテルグランドヒル市ヶ谷（東京・市ヶ谷）に会場を移し、「令和7年度総会・創立６０周年記念祝賀会」も開催。住田陸快会長の退任と崎津寛光総務委員長の会長就任など各議案が審議、承認されました。さらに今年７～８月に実施した「戦後８０年特別企画 ガダルカナル島慰霊巡拝」について、小林茂理事からスライドを使っての報告がされたほか、現地で撮影された動画や写真が会場内で上映・展示され、多くの参加者らが真剣に見入っていました。

 

当会は構成員の中心が戦友から遺族、遺族から有志へと変遷しており、創立60周年を迎えたことで戦友会として新たなフェーズを歩んで参ります。ご覧の皆様には一層のご理解とご協力をお願い申し上げます。

 

現地での戦没者慰霊や遺骨収容活動、国際親善等にご関心をお持ちの方は、どなたでも入会できます。気軽に事務局までお問い合わせ下さい。

 

●事務局E-mail

 

【 Memorial Service for the War Dead in the Solomon Islands – 80 Years After the War 】

【 Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Our Association 】

 

On Sunday, October 26, the “Memorial Service for the War Dead in the Solomon Islands – 80 Years After the War” was solemnly held at the main sanctuary of Yasukuni Shrine.

 

The ceremony was conducted to pay tribute to and honor the spirits of the Army, Navy, and civilian personnel who perished in the Solomon Islands area (present-day Bismarck Islands and Solomon Islands) during the war. Approximately 90 participants attended, including members of the Association, guests from affiliated organizations, bereaved families connected to the area, and other young supporters.

 

After the memorial service, participants moved to Hotel Grand Hill Ichigaya in Tokyo for the 2025 General Meeting and 60th Anniversary Celebration.  During the meeting, the retirement of President Takayoshi Sumida and the appointment of Mr. Kankoh Sakitsu, former Director General, as the new President were discussed and approved.

 

In addition, a presentation was given by Director Shigeru Kobayashi on the “Special Pilgrimage to Guadalcanal – 80 Years After the War”, which was conducted from July to August this year. Slides, as well as videos and photos taken locally, were shown and displayed at the venue, drawing the deep attention of all participants.

Having reached its 60th anniversary, our Association—whose core membership has evolved from wartime comrades to bereaved families and now to dedicated volunteers—will continue to move forward into a new phase as a comrades’ association.

 

We sincerely ask for your continued understanding and support.

 

Anyone who shares our interest in the memorial services, remains recovery activities, or international goodwill efforts in the Solomon Islands region is warmly welcome to join our Association. Please feel free to contact our Secretariat for more information as indicated above.