Japanese group to unveil new monument
Close to 200 members of the Nenpou Shinkyou Kongouji from Japan are expected to arrive on Saipan this weekend to witness the unveiling of a new monument built on Banzai Cliff.
The memorial monument was built and donated by the Head Temple of Nenpou Shinkyou Kongouji to honor the hundreds of Japanese civilians who jumped to their deaths screaming a final salute to their emperor in the last days of battle on Saipan during World War II.
The 200 Japanese visitors will conduct a cleanup activity on Sunday morning at Banzai Cliff in preparation for the unveiling.
The ceremony itself will take place on Monday, May 19, from 1:30pm to 2:15pm.
The unveiling ceremony will be attended by Lt. Gov. Tim P. Villagomez, Department of Public Lands Secretary John Del Rosario, Nenpou Shinkyou president Ryoyu Okeya, and other government officials and representatives from Japan and the CNMI.
