Mr Toji, President of the Kinan International Exchange Association, honoured by The Queen
In recognition of his service to former British Prisoners of War (POWs) in Japan, Tim Hitchens, the British Ambassador to Japan, conducted an investiture ceremony for Mr Isao Toji at the British Embassy Tokyo on 4 November.
As President of the Kinan International Exchange Association, Mr Toji has led efforts over nearly 20 years to honour the memory of the 300 British POWs who were put to work in the copper mines of Kiwa-cho (formerly Iruka) in Mie Prefecture during World War II.
In a spirit of reconciliation, Mr Toji and his colleagues have organised repeated visits in both directions between Japan and the UK for local people to meet former British POWs, and ensured the continuation of the annual remembrance service for the 16 POWs who died at Kiwa-cho.
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Last updated 4 November 2013 + show all updates
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