Japanese ambassador and official visits Manipur

Red Hill (Manipur), May 20 (EMN): Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu along with delegation comprising officials of various Japanese companies based in India drove down here at the historic site of the fierce battle of World War II, about 20 km south of state capital and offered a prayer for peace soon after their arrival from National capital.

Expressing heartfelt condolences to the war dead, Ambassador led team also paid homage to the departed souls of the World War II at the India Peace Memorial site at Maiba Lokpaching-Manipuri name of Red Hills.

Speaking to media on the sideline of their prayer session at Red Hills, the visiting Ambassador Hiramatsu said, “We’re here to pay respect to the departed soul soldiers who sacrifice their lives particularly the Japanese soldiers. I feel happy that many Japanese colleagues in Delhi are also coming here to pay the homage to the departed souls.”

Expressing his desire to have people to people exchange programme with the Japanese people and people of this part of India, Ambassador Hiramatsu, said that they also wanted to take some of joint projects in consultation with the local government in the region. “So we’ll be meeting the Chief Minister (of Manipur) tomorrow to discuss about it,” Japanese envoy added.

The 31 member Japanese delegation headed by Ambassador and its embassy staffs were here to participate in the commemoration of 73rd Anniversary of battle of Imphal, World War II. The observation was held under the aegis of Manipur Tourism Forum and 2nd World War Imphal Campaign Foundation in association with thr Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Parliamentary Secretary C Apok Jamir of Nagaland, Chairperson of Burma Campaign Society Akiko Macdonald besides Japanese Ambassador attended the commemoration function.