Commemorative Events for the 80th Anniversary of the Cowra Breakout
2024/8/13
On the 4th and 5th of August, Ambassador Kazuhiro SUZUKI and Mrs Suzuki attended the commemorative events for the 80th anniversary of the Cowra Breakout (mass outbreak by Japanese Prisoners of War) [see note] held in Cowra, New South Wales. There were around 100 who attended from Japan including the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Yasushi HOSAKA, Member of the House of Councillors Mr Iwao HORII, local government representatives, Japanese religious representatives and more. Australian officials attending included the Governor of New South Wales Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, The Honorable Michael McCormack MP(former Deputy Prime Minister）, and Cr Ruth Fagan the Mayor of Cowra Shire among many other Australian citizens.
On the 4th of August prior to the event, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Cowra Japanese and Australian War Cemetery and held a wreath laying ceremony.
A series of events were held to commemorate the casualties of the breakout and war dead of both countries while reflecting on the history of the bonds forged between Japan and the city of Cowra following the war, a symbol of Australia and Japan’s reconciliation. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Hosaka made a greeting address at the dinner hosted by the Mayor of Cowra, reading an official message from Prime Minister Kishida [read speech here]. Ambassador Suzuki delivered his remarks at The May Weir Memorial Morning Tea touching on the continued strengthening and progression of Japan-Australia relations over recent years, while praising the achievements of the City of Cowra, Cowra Breakout Association, Bruce and Margaret Weir Trust, the Nagakura Foundation and many others who have put in many years of effort towards Japan-Australia reconciliation and friendship [read speech here]. A cherry blossom tree gifted by Prime Minister Kishida was also planted by Parliamentary Vice-Minister Hosaka near the former grounds of the Prisoner of War camp in prayer of the continued friendship between Japan and Australia.
Events held on August 4:
Events held on August 5:
Note: During the Second World War, a Prisoner of War (POW) camp was placed in Cowra. On August the 5th, 1944, a mass escape was staged by Japanese POW resulting in the 235 casualties (including 4 Australian camp guards). The Japanese War Cemetery was completed following the war in 1964 and the bodies of 522 Japanese nationals, including casualties of the breakout along with other Japanese war dead were buried there.
On the 4th of August prior to the event, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the Cowra Japanese and Australian War Cemetery and held a wreath laying ceremony.
A series of events were held to commemorate the casualties of the breakout and war dead of both countries while reflecting on the history of the bonds forged between Japan and the city of Cowra following the war, a symbol of Australia and Japan’s reconciliation. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Hosaka made a greeting address at the dinner hosted by the Mayor of Cowra, reading an official message from Prime Minister Kishida [read speech here]. Ambassador Suzuki delivered his remarks at The May Weir Memorial Morning Tea touching on the continued strengthening and progression of Japan-Australia relations over recent years, while praising the achievements of the City of Cowra, Cowra Breakout Association, Bruce and Margaret Weir Trust, the Nagakura Foundation and many others who have put in many years of effort towards Japan-Australia reconciliation and friendship [read speech here]. A cherry blossom tree gifted by Prime Minister Kishida was also planted by Parliamentary Vice-Minister Hosaka near the former grounds of the Prisoner of War camp in prayer of the continued friendship between Japan and Australia.
Events held on August 4:
- Peace Bell Ceremony
- Lantern Parade
- Community Event
- Official Mayoral Dinner
Events held on August 5:
- Commemoration Event
- Wreath Laying
- May Weir Memorial Morning Tea
- Tree Planting Ceremony
Note: During the Second World War, a Prisoner of War (POW) camp was placed in Cowra. On August the 5th, 1944, a mass escape was staged by Japanese POW resulting in the 235 casualties (including 4 Australian camp guards). The Japanese War Cemetery was completed following the war in 1964 and the bodies of 522 Japanese nationals, including casualties of the breakout along with other Japanese war dead were buried there.
