A visit to Cowra by former Japanese Prisoner of War Teruo Murakami could be the last according to Cowra Breakout Association Lawrance Ryan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Murakami will be in Cowra on Friday, June 1 as part of an Australian-Japan Friendship tour that will see the former Japanese Army Private visit the sites of the Prisoner of War Camps at Cowra and Hay.
Captured in New Britain during World War II, Mr Murakami was brought to Australia in poor condition.
Suffering from malnutrition and tropical diseases he spent time recuperating in Brisbane before being transferred to Cowra POW Camp where he took part in the infamous Cowra Breakout, the largest military prison escape in world history and the only land battle fought on Australian soil during World War II.
Uninjured during the Breakout Mr Murakami was recaptured and sent to Hay POW Camp where he remained until repatriated to Japan in 1946.
Now 91 years old, Mr Murakami has visited Cowra previously, most recently for the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Breakout in 2004.
The highlight of each visit is a pilgrimage to the Japanese War Cemetery at Cowra where he pays respects to his 231 comrades who died at Cowra on August 5, 1944.
Accompanying Mr Murakami will be noted Japanese historian and author Ms. Mami Yamada. Mami is best known in Australia for her 1995 translation of Harry Gordon’s book Voyage from Shame, which is generally regarded as the definitive story of the Cowra Breakout.
This year’s Friendship Tour is a special occasion for members of the Cowra Breakout Association, the group entrusted with the annual commemoration of the most tragic event in Cowra’s history.
“We recognise that this may be the last time a former Japanese POW visits Cowra and we want to make sure the visit is memorable for all involved,” Cowra Breakout Association President Lawrance Ryan said.
Mr Murakami has set a busy schedule during his time in Australia.
Some of the highlights include a meeting with Ron Ferguson, the last remaining Guard from the Cowra POW Camp, at Ron’s Sydney home at 8am on Wednesday, May 30 and a luncheon with the Japanese Ambassador in Canberra on Thursday, May 31.
While in Cowra Mr Murakami will visit the Cowra War Cemeteries at 10am on Friday, June 1, attend a luncheon hosted by Cowra Mayor Councillor Bill West and visit history students at Cowra High School at 2.15pm the same day.
The Cowra Breakout Association is pleased to welcome Mr Murakami and the Japanese delegation to Cowra.
“Despite his age Mr Murakami is in good health and looking forward to his Australian trip,” Mr Ryan said.
“I’m hoping anyone with an interest in the Cowra Breakout story will take the opportunity to speak to him.”
For additional information concerning Mr Murakami’s visit or the Cowra Breakout Association in general please contact Lawrance Ryan on 0408 639 088 or by email at plutarch2794@bigpond.com