DNA analysis identifies human remains in the Battle of Okinawa

DNA analysis identifies human remains in the Battle of Okinawa

The researchers found the set of human remains face down and wearing rubber soled socks at a construction site in Maeda district of Urasoe on July 28 2013. The remains are believed to be a Japanese Imperial Army soldier in the Battle of Okinawa.


March 13, 2014 Ryuyu Shimpo

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has carried out DNA analysis on the human remains that were found in Maeda district of Urasoe last July. The ministry identified the remains and found the bereaved family on March 12. The human remains belong to a Japanese Imperial Army soldier in the Battle of Okinawa.

This is the third case involving analysis to identify human remains from the Battle of Okinawa. In the two previous cases, the analysis revealed the identities of human remains of two Japanese soldiers found in November 2009 and March 2010 in Makabi district of Naha.

The researchers found the most recent set of human remains wearing rubber-soled socks, and with its face down. They also unearthed a personal seal engraved with the name “Tabata” around it. After receiving the teeth of the remains from the Okinawa Prefectural Government last August, the ministry carried out DNA analysis.

Tokyo resident Kazuo Tabata who is from Karafuto or Sakhalin Island, claimed the remains belonged to his father. However, the ministry has not released the identity of the remains because of the Private Information Protection Law. The ministry plans to reveal the results of the analysis to the bereaved family through the government of the prefecture where the remains belong. The ministry then decides whether to announce the result.

(English translation by T&CT)

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