13 Oct 2014

Japanese Emperor and Empress to visit Palau

2:41 pm on 13 October 2014

The Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, is planning to meet the Palau President, Tommy Remengesau, to discuss the proposed visit to Palau by the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

Japan once governed the islands which were the scene of fierce fighting that recorded the highest amphibious casualty rates for American forces in the Pacific during the Second World War.

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Photo: supplied

The Japan Times reports that during the trip, expected in about April, the Emperor and Empress hope to console the souls of Japanese soldiers who died 70 years ago next year.

Two years after the war, 44 Japanese soldiers were still holding out in the caves of Peleliu and only surrendered after a Japanese admiral convinced them the war was over.