JAKARTA: A collaborative effort between Indonesia and Japan has successfully retrieved nine human remains, believed to be those of Japanese soldiers from World War II, in the Biak Numfor district of Papua Province.
Led by Indonesia's Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and supported by Japan, the discovery aims to enhance historical understanding for Japanese tourists visiting the region.
"The human remains, currently in Jakarta, will undergo DNA testing for conclusive identification," said Hilmar Farid, the ministry's Director General of Culture, in a statement.
This initiative builds upon bilateral agreements dating back to 2019, which focus on the excavation, collection, and repatriation of the remains of Japanese soldiers who died during the war in Papua Province and West Papua Province.
Judi Wahjudin, the ministry's Director of Cultural Preservation, emphasised the operation's broader significance. He highlighted the agreements extended to 2025 as a commitment to historical preservation and international cooperation.
"Our objective is to provide closure to affected families and communities by identifying these soldiers, supporting local socio-economic development, preserving historical resources, and proceeding with repatriation upon identification," he added.
He noted that unearthing the remains of nine Japanese soldiers is a small number compared to the extensive deployment of tens of thousands of Japanese troops across the islands during World War II.
The year 1944 marked a critical juncture for the islands, witnessing intense battles between Japanese and American forces, notably in Biak Numfor and various regions of Papua. — BERNAMA