Imperial couple forges ahead despite rain

Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko started the second and last day of their visit to the island with a walk on the Hotel Nikko Saipan beach at about 6:20am. There, they met with two Japanese war veterans, who told the couple their stories of the historic Battle of Saipan, which was the last defensive line of Japan’s imperial army during World War II.

Oike Seichi, one of the Japanese veterans, stood up from his wheelchair and went face down in the sand to demonstrate how the bodies of Japanese soldiers and civilians were washed up to the shore after they committed mass suicides at Banzai Cliff at the end of the war.

At the American Memorial Park, the arrival of the imperial couple coincided with the start of a downpour that soon drenched all the spectators and people inside the park.

Although they could have chosen to wait out the rain inside their limousine, the couple went ahead with their scheduled visit, walking slowly and taking their time to stop when necessary—first at the Marianas Memorial, then before a crowd that was madly waving miniature American, Japanese, and CNMI flags, then opposite the Color Guard, whose members were holding the flags of the U.S., Japan, and the CNMI, then finally at the Flag Circle/Court of Honor.

The couple offered wreaths at the Marianas Memorial, which recognizes the Chamorro and Carolinian casualties of World War II and at the Court of Honor, which honors the U.S. war dead. Taps was played as the couple offered silent prayers at the Court of Honor

The empress, elegant in a beige dress, was seen holding her own umbrella during the rain and putting it away when the rains lightened.

Except when they were bowing and praying, both Akihito and Michiko were always cheerful, shaking hands and chatting with people they passed by, including the JROTC students assigned in the area, members of the Color Guard, park staff, and security personnel.

“I feel so happy because they stopped and talked to us. They asked if we are in high school, what kind of program we are in. They are so kind,” said 16-year old Janell Reyes.

Reyes and Vanerie Deleon Guerrero, 16, were standing at the top corner of the Court of Honor when they were greeted by the imperial couple on their way back to their official vehicle.

“I didn’t really expect that it would happen. It’s a very pleasant surprise to me,” said Deleon Guerrero.

Before the imperial guests left the circle, they waved again at the crowd and climbed aboard their limousine

Local residents Bobbie Solberg and Maria Wanket said the imperial visit reminded them of their parents and Japan’s “special connection” with the Northern Marianas.

“It made me miss my father. I never thought I would get emotional, but when I saw the imperial couple walking right there in the park, I remembered my father, my childhood because my parents spoke Japanese fluently. We would sing Japanese songs when we were small. I’m sure that my father would have loved to see the emperor,” said Solberg.

From the memorial, Akihito and Michiko proceeded to Suicide Cliff and Banzai Cliff, where hundreds of Japanese soldiers and civilians—including women and children—jumped to their deaths rather than surrender to U.S. forces.

In an unexpected move, the couple made a brief visit to the Korean and Okinawan memorials before heading back to Hotel Nikko Saipan as scheduled. The emperor and empress paid tributes to the fallen soldiers and civilians from Korea and Japan’s southern island of Okinawa.

No photographs or video footage of the unannounced stop were allowed.
(With Liberty Dones)