Japan-Australia Grassroots Program leads reconciliation efforts for a better future.
In February 2024, RSL Deputy National President Duncan Anderson visited Japan as part of the 2024 Japan–Australia Grassroots Exchange Program, which aims to provide descendants of Prisoners of War with an avenue for healing and understanding.
Accompanying him from RSL Victoria was Ms. Joy Derham the daughter of Lance Corporal John ‘Jack’ Lonsdale, who was a Prisoner of War (POW) from 1942 – 1945, and Mr. Trent Beilken from RSL Queensland whose grandfather, Private Robert Rolls, became a POW six weeks shy of his 16th birthday in 1942.
Each year the Japanese Embassy in Australia works with RSL Australia to find suitable participants for the program. More than 120 POWs and POW descendants have taken part in the program since it began in 1997.
The group spent eight days touring Japan, visiting sites including the Yokohama Commonwealth War Cemetery and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial – the epicenter of the atomic bombing.
They attended an event at the POW Research Centre which included a thought-provoking Q&A session.
“We learnt that the Japanese Self Defence Force are also facing issues of PTSD and loss of life to suicide amongst its men and women. These tough topics were faced head on and the questions did not shy away from harsh realities,” said Trent Beilken.
They had opportunities to meet with the Japanese people, experience the culture and strengthen the bonds that have now developed between Australia and Japan.
During the visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial the group met with an 87-year-old Japanese woman who survived the atomic bomb at Hiroshima. She described the exact moment of the explosion and the vivid memories that haunt her to that day
Duncan Anderson describes the trip as “an incredibly humbling experience.”
“We were all taken aback by the experience at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. We were privileged to lay a wreath at the place where the 340,000 names (a list that grows each year) are recorded of those who have died as a result of the atomic bomb.” he said.
“The Commonwealth War Graves in Tokyo was breathtaking. There is something about Australian men and women laying in another country as a result of their service. Three unknown soldiers.
“Australia and Japan have been allies for much longer than we have been adversaries. We should never forget the past but must focus on the future for shared peace and prosperity. Let us never make the same mistakes again.” said Duncan Anderson.
RSL Australia would like to sincerely thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for providing this opportunity to continue to promote post-war reconciliation and goodwill.
