The human remains buried in a mass grave at the Sapporo Honganji temple are believed to be those of Koreans brought to Japan as slave labor during World War II, the temple said Friday.
The remains, originally kept in individual wooden boxes, were transferred to a steel container and three urns in the charnel at the Buddhist temple in 1984 and 1997, making it difficult to ascertain identities. The temple is part of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect.
But a book of records on the remains and personal effects dated July 11, 1969, was recently found in the temple's safe. It includes the names and dates of death of 101 Koreans.
The temple will hold a meeting Tuesday to decide how to return the remains of the Koreans to their relatives.