Note: The image of Hiroo Onoda is from the cover of "ONODA Sentimental Journey of Lt. Hiroo Onoda" |
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PHILIPPINE-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP SHRINEIn January 2011 I had to have two tries to reach the Shrine, as the paths leading to it were rather overgrown. Finally a local rice farmer showed us the way. The last of of Lt. Hiroo Onada's men, Private Kinshichi Kozuka, who died in a confrontation with the police in 1972, may have initially been buried somewhere near the shrine - perhaps the shrine is on top of the original grave. THe Shrine is about a ten minute walk from the main road to Looc.
Update: Oct 2014
The period Bob was there coincided with the Japanese straggler, Kinshichi Kozuka, being killed by the constabulary, and the search started for Lt. Hiroo Onoda. He also wrote: During my assignment at Gozar, I remember the commander being Major Joseph Assanza. He showed me a scar from a wound in his leg where he had been shot by a supposed bandit in the woods. (We were warned never to drive to the east end of the island to Looc because it was not safe). Thus he has some interesting photos pertaining to the search, and the initial rememberance shrine to Kozuka is pictured below. |
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The shrine marks the spot where Kinshichi Kozuka died. |
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