by Manabu Kitaguchi
Representative, Banaban Heritage Society Inc Japan
6th. May, 1997
Japanese National TV (NHK) showed Banaban documentary today 5th. May at
11:00am - titled "Missing Paradise in the South Pacific". The program was
aired in Japanese which was made by NHK and supported by Banaban Heritage
Society Inc. and the Banaban Heritage Society Inc., Japan. It was a good
program that focused on Banaban Thomas Teai and his son visiting Banaba
(the Homeland) with Ms. Stacey M King. I studied a lot on Banaban history
from Stacey and libraries here in Japan, and I am well aware of the full
extend of Japanese involvement with Banaban history, especially during WW2
years.. I had asked the director to show the Japanese public all about the
Japanese occupation of Banaba/Ocean Island, and such terrible happenings
such as genocide (when 162 islanders were murdered 2 days after the War
was over), and other documented War crimes - it such a sad story that the
Japanese public need to hear.
Unfortunately the program didn't reveal a lot about this dark side of our
involvement with Banaban history. The program did however give the general
history of the Banabans and mainly focused on the damage done by the BPC
(British Phosphate Commission) and how Thomas Teai and his son feel about
the way their beloved homeland has been left after 80 years of
exploitation by phosphate mining. Thomas' explanations and answers to his
son Donald's questions are so beautifully moving, and the shock and
response from his son who is seeing his homeland for the very first time
are equally moving. Stacey's comments and reactions to seeing what Banaba
has been left like today is also beautiful, as she also struggles to come
to terms with her own family's involvement in the early mining of the
island.
The program is a very good way to teach the Japanese public about what
happened on Banaba. Some of my friends who watched the TV program said,
`How bad the BPC were!`. Now the Japanese people will know about a place
called Banaba and what beautiful people the Banabans are. Unfortunately
there was no information about the upcoming "HOMECOMING TRIP" and only a
little bit of information about the Banaban Heritage Society Inc in
Australian and Japan. The Society is distributing a lot of information by
way of printing materials, News papers, books and magazines from their
offices situated in Australia and Japan.
These are my own personal opinions and ideas, but I know many Japanese
people's hearts will be greatly moved after seeing this documentary. I
feel this program is only just beginning of educating the Japanese people
about their own historical involvement with the Banaban people and their
beloved homeland. It is more importantly a start of reconciliation
between Banabans and the Japanese people, and a way in which more Japanese
can now get involved in helping the Banabans move towards a better
future.
Many young Japanese through various youth groups are now wanting to know
about the Banabans and the true history about what happened during WWII in
the South Pacific region. Every week I'm now invited to speak about
Banaban history, and an invitation has already been sent to the Banaban
Cultural Dancing Group from Rabi Island this August. The Dancers are being
sponsored to attend the Ethnic Day Concert which is held in Japan every
August. a memorial day to remember the finish of the War on 15th August
1945 in Japan. It also coincides with the dropping of the atomic bombs at
Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6th and 9th August. The Dancing Group will
arrive in Japan on the 1st August to begin their tour.
It is great timing to come to Japan with so many journalists now
interested in Banaba. The Japanese Youth Group is also preparing a press
release and information about WWII - Japan and Banaban history. It is good
that this first program has now gone to air and stirred the interest of
the Japanese public. But I'm sure Japanese journalist will get a real
surprise when they hear the full extend of Japanese involvement in Banaban
history, and especially the War years.
Yes, this TV documentary is a good beginning, and now it is up to me to
finish work on my own documentary which will give a full account of those
tragic War years and let the Japanese public know more about what really
happened on Banaba and to the Banaban people. It is a story that should
never be forgotten!
Manabu Kitaguchi, Society Representative,
Banaban Heritage Society Inc - Japan Office
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Stacey King - Secretary mailto:banaban@ion.com.au
Banaban Heritage Society Inc. http://www.ion.com.au/~banaban/
PO Box 536, Mudgeeraba Phone: 61-755-305298
Queensland 4213 Australia Fax: 61-755-305298
*A non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of Banaban
Culture and bettering the lives of the Banaban people.*
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