Last Friday, Ambassador Endo Kazuya participated in a memorial service and reception held aboard a ship as part of the "Bereaved Children of the War Dead Memorial Friendship Project" in Manila Bay.

This project visits war memorials for remembrance and mourning, and also visits local elementary schools, medical facilities, and other institutions to foster friendship and mutual understanding.

This year's event, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 35th anniversary of the project, included an overseas memorial service at sea.

The ship departed Kobe on June 1, conducting memorial services in the East China Sea and other locations, before arriving in Manila Bay on June 6.

A memorial service for all war victims was held onboard the ship. Following a moving address by Mizouchi Toshisada, chairman of the Japan Bereaved Families Association, Ambassador Endo delivered a commemorative speech.

A subsequent reception onboard also included representatives from the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), and a children's facility from the city of Manila.

At the reception, the children from the facility were treated to a heartwarming chorale performance by a diverse group of participants of this overseas memorial service, ranging from children of war victims in their 90s to their younger accompanying family members.

Wheelchairs and school supplies, collected by bereaved family members, were also donated. Each box of school supplies included origami cranes and personal messages thoughtfully crafted by every participant of the overseas memorial service.

The ship departed from the Port of Manila on the evening of June 6 and will continue its memorial voyage across the Pacific Ocean, with a scheduled return to Kobe Port on June 11. Japan Information and Culture Center