Events
Events in 2021
Annual Autumn Memorial Service was held at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery on October 18th, 2021 from 13:00 to 14:00.
The Crown Prince & Princess Akishino-Miya attended the annual service.
The Autumn Memorial Service was hosted by the Memorial Foundation and receives around 300 attendees downsized this year because of the coronavirus infection.
The memorial service is held annually in the middle of October to console the spirits of the soldiers, military employees, and citizens enshrined at the Memorial Hall, who symbolize the spirits of all people who lost their lives in the war.
Attending at the National Anthem
Worship by Crown Prince and Princess Akishino-Miya
Ceremonial Remarks by Chairman Shunichi Suzuki (Finance Minister)
Japanese Tea Ceremony Dedication
Reciting the Poem of Showa Emperor
Children's Song Dedication
Worship by Japanese Air-Self Defence Force, Ground Self-Defence Force, and Maritime Self-Defence Force.
Eulogy by Prime Minister Kishida's Representative
Flower Dedication by Bereaved Families
Events in 2020
Annual Autumn Memorial Service was held at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery on October 19th from 13:00 to 14:00.
The Crown Prince & Princess Akishinono-Miya attended the annual service. This year is exceptional as it marks the commemoration of the 75 anniversary of the Japanese surrender in WWII.
Due to the coronavirus, the size of the Memorial Service was reduced to prevent spread. 400 guests were participating in this annual event.
Crown Prince and Princess arrived at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery
Attending at the National Anthem
Worship by Prince and Princess
Japanese Tea Ceremony Dedication
Reciting the Poem of Showa Emperor
Children's Song Dedication
Worship by Japanese Air-Self Defence Force, Ground Self-Defence Force, and Maritime Self-Defence Force.
Eulogy by Prime Minister Suga's Representative
Flower Dedication by Bereaved Families
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo visited Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery with major cabinet members to pay respect to the War Dead Spirits on August 15, 2020, 75th Japan Surrender Anniversary.
August 15/ 2020
Prime Minister Abe Shinzo visited Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery with Minister Katsunobu Kato, Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare, and other cabinet members, to pay respect to the War Dead Spirits on August 15, 2020, 75th Japan Surrender Anniversary.
President Tsushima Yuji, President of the Memorial Foundation, offered a heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Minister Katsunobu Kato and his cabinet members.
Famous Japanese Actress, Haruka Ayase, Visiting Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery for TBS series from August 15 at 2.00 PM JST
July 26/ 2020
Famous Japanese Actress, Haruka Ayase, visited Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery with her TV crew members on July 26, 2020, to pay respect to the War Dead Spirits. The TV program, entitled ”Listening to the War”, will be aired on TBS from August 15 at 2.00 PM JST.
After praying and offering the flowers to the War Dead Spirits, she endorsed this important message during the interview, ‘We should never go to war’.
First Religious Livestream Event on Youtube during COVID-19
September 18/ 2020
One of the largest Japanese Buddhism groups, Jyoudo Shinsyu, hosted the memorial service at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery. The event was broadcasted to their Japanese followers at the same time as the actual event. With this approach, there are no boundaries to pay respect to the War Dead Spirits
The Most Extended Memorial Services Hosted by Rissho Kosei Kai since 1959
September 22/ 2020
Rissho Kosei Kai has been hosting the memorial service annually since 1959. This year this Buddhism group still carries on their ritual at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery on September 22, 2020. It has been 61 years consecutively, and will continue in the coming years.
Memorial Service hosted by World Federation of the Japanese Buddhist Council.
November 13/ 2020
World Federation of the Japanese Buddist Council hosted the memorial service on November 13th, 2020.
The number of participants was reduced to a quarter due to the coronavirus restrictions.
World Federation of the Japanese Buddist Council was established in 1946 with the mission to support world peace, located in New York City, USA.
Annual Traditional Hiking by Academy Cadets from Yokosuka
November 29/ 2020
In the early morning at around 7:30 on 29, November, about 480 Defense Academy cadets visited the Cemetery to pay their full respect to the War Dead Spirits.
One day before, at 12 noon they started their journey walking all the way non-stop from Yokosuka to Tokyo, approximately 70 km by distance.
This traditional hiking custom takes place every year for almost 60 years.
Memorial Service by
Peace Ring of Guam Japan
March 23/ 2021
On 23 March 2021, a memorial service was held at Chirorigafuchi by bereaved families called Peace Ring of Guam Japan.
There was a fierce battle between American and Japanese soldiers on Guam Island, mid-Pacific, in 1944.
After decades, both soldiers made reconciliation and assembled from time to time to have a joint Memorial service and to do some voluntary work for the Guam people who suffered from the battle.
Peace Ring of Guam Japan is a Japanese branch of the joint organization.
They make it custom to assemble at Chidorigafuchi and have a memorial service.