PINGTUNG, Taiwan (AP) — Heads bowed, experts offered their respects on Monday ahead of an excavation aimed at recovering the remains of Japanese soldiers from World War II in southern Taiwan.The site is linked to the sinking of a military transport vessel and other ships in the Bashi Channel after they were attacked by U.S. forces in 1944. According to historian Kazuko Tachi, who is also an activist involved in the recovery efforts, more than 4,700 soldiers and crew members died while 65 survived.Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by China as its territory, was a Japanese colony from 1895 until the end of the war.“It is believed that many bodies from the sunken vessel reached this shore,” said Tatsuaki Inoue, representing the Japan Association for the Recovery and Repatriation of War Casualties.The excavation in Hengchun Township is expected to continue for a week. If any remains believed to be Japanese are found and DNA samples can be extracted, they will be sent to Japan during a future mission.Japan enacted a law in 2016 to accelerate the recovery of war remains, an effort that has been extended through 2030 and includes expanded DNA testing.
Thousands remain missing after WWIIOfficial Japanese records say about 41,900 soldiers who fought for Japan during WWII died in Taiwan. Around 26,300 bodies have been recovered and 15,600 remain missing.The last excavation in Taiwan took place in 1975, when 242 bodies were found.“We feel very sorry that we kept them waiting for such a long time,” Inoue said. “But on the other hand, we are very happy that we came to be able to excavate in search of their remains.”
