More and more people whose relatives lived through World War II are donating inherited personal items to peace memorial museums throughout Japan. Such artifacts offer a lens through which visitors are afforded view of Japan's wartime experience. But many museums face difficulties, including insufficient storage space and staff, in accepting the donations.
This in turn increases t he risk is that the memorabilia, which have great historic value, may eventually be lost or discarded, prompting some to ask the government and public organizations to step in.
Takashi Yanagishita, 78, from Nagoya, donated a helmet, campaign flag, rucksack and five other items to the Material Pavilion of War and Peace Aichi in June. The items belonged to his father, Tokujiro, who was demobilized in China after the end of World War II.