Okinawa Gov. Keiichi Inamine renewed his resolve for peace Monday during a ceremony marking the 58th anniversary of the end of the only World War II ground battle on Japanese soil.
"We pledge to contribute to creating international peace by continuing to send out to the world the 'heart of Okinawa' that wishes for peace," Inamine said after a minute of silent prayer.
The event was held from 11:50 a.m. at Peace Memorial Park in the city of Itoman on southern Okinawa Island.
Inamine also called for the consolidation of U.S. military bases in Okinawa and a review of the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement in light of the recent arrest of a U.S. Marine on suspicion of raping a local woman last month in the town of Kin.