{
  "id": 5672024,
  "title": "Pagodas in Japan's Shikoku preserve memories of Burma front veterans",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/pagodas-in-japans-shikoku-preserve-memories-of-burma-front-veterans",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T00:00:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260903/p2a/00m/0na/026000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Matsuyama, located in western Japan's Tokushima city, is home to a unique pagoda modeled after those found in Burma. This pagoda was built in 1958 by Japanese military veterans who had fought in Burma during World War II. The pagoda was constructed to honor the war dead and promote peace.\n\nTakeo Miki, a former Japanese prime minister from Tokushima, played a crucial role in obtaining Buddhist relics enshrined within the pagoda. The pagoda's presence is deeply rooted in the hearts of those who returned from the war, as stated by Shochi Kimura, honorary chief priest of Zenpukuji, a temple near the pagoda.\n\nThe pagoda's influence extended to other prefectures of Shikoku, resulting in the erection of similar pagodas in Zentsuji, Ishiteji, and Gyukoji. These pagodas enshrine wooden statues of war dead around a Jizo Bodhisattva statue.\n\nFor veterans like Masanori Hatakeyama, the Kochi pagoda served as a reminder of their comrades who died in Burma. However, as many of these veterans pass away, and the bereaved families continue to age, fewer people visit the pagodas. The maintenance of these structures has become increasingly challenging.\n\nIn Tokushima, the original pagoda was transferred to the Tokushima Buddhist Federation in 1989, anticipating difficulties in maintenance. The federation announced plans to disband in 2028. Meanwhile, Ehime and Kagawa prefectures have decided to disband their respective Burma associations.\n\nDespite dwindling worshippers, the pagodas remain a symbol of peace and commemoration of the war dead. Efforts are underway to preserve these structures, ensuring they continue to serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II.",
  "summary": "MATSUYAMA -- Mount Bizan in the western Japan city of Tokushima, which appears in the ancient poetry anthology \"Manyoshu,\" rises about 290 meters abov",
  "key_points": [
    "Matsuyama pagoda built in 1958 by WWII veterans from Burma.",
    "Former PM Takeo Miki obtained Buddhist relics for the pagoda.",
    "Similar pagodas in Shikoku prefectures commemorate war dead."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The pagodas in Shikoku, rooted in memories of Burma front veterans, now face uncertain futures as aging populations and dwindling worshippers challenge their maintenance, but remain symbols of peace and commemoration.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}