Osaka, May 24: In its unflagging effort to revive and strengthen the Kuki-Japanese relationship, the New Zealand Kukiforum Correspondent
met the 88 years old Mr. Kunizuka, a Japanese World War II veteran and a colleague of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose in Osaka, Japan.
Among others, the Kukiforum intended to trace the whereabouts of Japan Pakang, the Kuki leader who went together with the recruiting Japanese troops
after the war.
Mr.Kunizuka recalled how the Kuki people helped the Japanese soldiers during the war years.
"He was delighted to meet a Kuki daughter after 60 years. I presented him a traditional shawl 'Thangnang', draping it around his
shoulders and a Thangnang neck-tie," said Chongboi.
During the Japanese occupation of Burma, Mr. Kunizuka was based in Rangoon as the Japanese Army's Liaison Officer with the Indian National Army
(INA).
After the fall of Singapore in 1942, Mr Kunizuka met with Subash Chandra Bose to discuss how the Japanese army could support the Indian
independence movement.
Kunizuka said that the Japanese never forgot the kindness and hospitality of the Kuki people.
The Kukis are true friends who stood by their side even after they lost the war, added the veteran.
Mr. Kunizuka wrote two books, in Japanese, about his life story based on his involvement with the INA during World War II.
Presenting copies of the two books to the correspondent, he wrote inside the cover jacket, "With the profound appreciation of your people's help to us" .
*Submitted by Kukiforum News Service - available online at www.kukiforum.com
This article was webcasted on 28th May 2005
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