On Friday 5th of March the Cairns RSL Sub Branch Vice President, Mr. Jeffrey Langham was pleased to host a visit to Cairns by Mr. Kazunari Tanaka – Japanese Consul General of Japan and his wife, Mrs. Kazunari Tanaka. Accompanying them was Mr. Akira Uchida – Director Consular Office of Japan in Cairns and his wife Mrs. Kimiko Uchida. Mayor of Cairns Bob Manning was also part of the Cairns welcome delegation.
During their visit they paid their respects to those Australians whom paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of Australia, they laid two wreaths at the Cenotaph and further paid their respects with minutes silence each. Following the Cenotaph Ceremony they visited the Kokoda Hall Museum to inspect four historical Japanese Swords and two historical Japanese Battle Flags that are in the Museum’s collection. Sub Branch Volunteer Armourer, Mr. Gerry Webb, showed the swords and flags to our visitors and gave them a detailed history of what we know about the items. Mr Tanaka then toured the Kokoda Hall Museum collection and was especially interested in the story of the Krait. Mr Tanaka stated that he was so impressed with the Museum’s collections and displays that he will be encouraging the Japanese Ambassador to visit the Kokoda Museum soon.
Vice President Langham said, “The Sub Branch has begun early discussions with the Consul General in working towards a possible repatriation of at least one or more of the swords whose family’s may be able to be traced. As it is believed that the spirit of the owners ancestors reside within the sword. We also have two Battle Flags that if the community they come from can be identified may be returned to that community.” Mr Langham further stated that it would ultimately be up to the families and the communities if they wish to have the items returned to them.