Japanese flag to be returned

Press, 24 June 1986, Page 8

Japanese flag to be returned

PA Wellington The final chapter in a remarkable tale of coincidence spanning 44 years will end this week when a Japanese flag leaves Auckland to be returned home.

The story began in 1942 when a young Japanese factory worker, Isamu Yamamoto, was conscripted to fight in World War 11. His fellow workers signed a Japanese flag, which they presented to him as a good luck gift.

After a short spell in China, Mr Yamamoto was sent to Papua New Guinea with the 23rd Foot Regiment. He was killed in action there in August, 1944, at the age of 25. Although details are sketchy, it is known that the flag came into the possession of a New Zea-

land officer. He died in the late 1950 s and the flag was handed to the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

The museum’s director, Mr Stuart Park, said, “The flag was not put on show until last year, when it was put in a display about the war in the Pacific.

“A Japanese tourist saw the display a few weeks after it began and he saw his sister’s name on the flag.”

Through his sister, the tourist managed to trace Mr Yamamoto’s younger brother, who was delighted to discover what had happened.

When Mr Yamamoto’s family learned of the flag’s existence they were keen to have it as a memento.