City to file kamikaze pilots' mementos for world memory

City to file kamikaze pilots' mementos for world memory

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - Kanpei Shimoide, mayor of Minamikyushu in Kagoshima Prefecture, shows an application form at Chiran Peace Museum in the city on Feb. 4, 2014, before filing to have kamikaze suicide pilots' mementos registered in the UNESCO Memory of the World program.

Kamikaze pilots' mementos for world memory

Kamikaze pilots' mementos for world memory

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - Kanpei Shimoide, mayor of Minamikyushu in Kagoshima Prefecture, meets reporters at Chiran Peace Museum in the city on Feb. 4, 2014, about the municipal government's imminent filing to have kamikaze suicide pilots' mementos registered in the UNESCO Memory of the World program.

Salvaged Zero Fighter draws visitors to museum

Salvaged Zero Fighter draws visitors to museum

CHIRAN, Japan - This is a photo of a Mitsubishi Zero Fighter on display at Tokko Heiwa Kaikan, or Peace Museum, in Chiran, Kagoshima Prefecture, southeastern Japan. During the summer holiday season, the museum draws visitors from across the country. The Zero was raised in 1980 from 45-meter-deep water in the Pacific Ocean off Kagoshima Prefecture. The town of Chiran used to have a base of special attack unit, or ''kamikaze'' suicide squad, during World War II.

Portraits of kamikaze pilots move visitors

Portraits of kamikaze pilots move visitors

CHIRAN, Japan - A girl stands silently July 29 in front of portraits of special attack unit, ''kamikaze'' suicide squad, pilots at the Chiran Tokko Heiwa Kaikan (Peace Museum) in the town of Chiran, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Most of those World War II pilots died around age 20. The museum has 6,000 pieces war-related articles, including portraits and notes left behind by young pilots and soldiers.

Visitors to museum for "kamikaze" suicide pilots listen to storyteller

Visitors to museum for "kamikaze" suicide pilots listen to storyteller

A storyteller recounts the tragedy of "kamikaze" suicide attacks by young Japanese pilots during World War II on Aug. 7, 2015, at the Chiran Peace Museum in Minamikyushu, southwestern Japan. Chiran had an air base for kamikaze pilots during the war. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Museum displaying documents of suicide attackers

Museum displaying documents of suicide attackers

People visit Chiran Peace Museum in the southwestern Japan town of Chiran on Aug. 15, 2017, the 72nd anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The museum displays mementos, pictures and other documents of those involved in suicide attacks. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Museum displaying documents of suicide attackers

Museum displaying documents of suicide attackers

People visit Chiran Peace Museum in the southwestern Japan town of Chiran on Aug. 15, 2017, the 72nd anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The museum displays mementos, pictures and other documents of those involved in suicide attacks. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Salvaged Zero Fighter draws visitors to museum

Salvaged Zero Fighter draws visitors to museum

CHIRAN, Japan - This is a photo of a Mitsubishi Zero Fighter on display at Tokko Heiwa Kaikan, or Peace Museum, in Chiran, Kagoshima Prefecture, southeastern Japan. During the summer holiday season, the museum draws visitors from across the country. The Zero was raised in 1980 from 45-meter-deep water in the Pacific Ocean off Kagoshima Prefecture. The town of Chiran used to have a base of special attack unit, or ''kamikaze'' suicide squad, during World War II.

Portraits of kamikaze pilots move visitors

Portraits of kamikaze pilots move visitors

CHIRAN, Japan - A girl stands silently July 29 in front of portraits of special attack unit, ''kamikaze'' suicide squad, pilots at the Chiran Tokko Heiwa Kaikan (Peace Museum) in the town of Chiran, Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan. Most of those World War II pilots died around age 20. The museum has 6,000 pieces war-related articles, including portraits and notes left behind by young pilots and soldiers.