Fed: Family honour Japanese sailors lost on midget sub

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2007
Fed: Family honour Japanese sailors lost on midget sub

SYDNEY, Aug 6 AAP - The younger brother of one of the Japanese sailors who died when
their M24 midget submarine was lost off Sydney during World War II says he feels honoured
to attend today's memorial service.

The submarine disappeared after an attack on Sydney Harbour in 1942 and was found late
last year by a group of amateur divers about five kilometres off Sydney's northern beaches.

Kazutomo Ban, 74, the younger brother of Sub-Lieutenant Katsuhisa Ban, the commander
and navigator of the midget sub, said he was touched by the service.

"I am very honoured to know that the Australian people remember him even today," he said.

Mr Ban was one of 19 relatives of the two Japanese submariners who gathered alongside
dignitaries from Australia and Japan at Sydney's Garden Island naval base for the memorial
service.

Senior Chaplain Stuart Hall led the service, which consisted of prayers for the dead
men and prayers for peace.

"In this time of peace, we remember those who continue to mourn their loss and especially
the men and women who worthily served their country in pursuit of peace," Chaplain Hall
said.

The ceremony included a parade by 150 members of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence
Force Training Squadron and the laying of wreaths.

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