Tsushima Maru, Children's Evacuation Ship Sunk in WWII, Confirmed on Seabed; Online Reactions Show Deep Historical Impact
The Cabinet Office announced on the 23rd that the hull of the Gakudō Sōkai (schoolchildren evacuation) ship Tsushima Maru, which was sunk by a U.S. submarine off Akusekijima, Kagoshima Prefecture, in August 1944 during the Pacific War, has been confirmed on the seabed. This latest survey aims to collect wood fragments and sediment from the hull, which lies at a depth of 870 meters, and its surroundings, with detailed analysis planned for the future. The Tsushima Maru met its tragic end while evacuating schoolchildren from Okinawa to mainland Japan, resulting in the deaths of 1,484 civilians, including 784 schoolchildren. This incident, known as the "Tsushima Maru Incident," has become a symbolic event in Japanese history, particularly in recounting the tragedies of the Battle of Okinawa and the schoolchildren evacuation program. Following news of the hull's confirmation, many people reacted on social media. While expressions of surprise like "The Tsushima Maru has be...