Emperor Hirohito (1901-1989) sought to travel to Okinawa before making his first official visit to the United States in 1975, an official's recently disclosed personal diary shows.

Some experts say the late Emperor's wish, which did not materialize, signaled his sense of guilt for playing a role in the U.S. occupation of Okinawa following World War II.

Ahead of the U.S. visit from late September 1975, the monarch indicated his desire to visit the prefecture for the first time to a close aide, according to the diary of Okinawa's governor at the time.