Okinawa: A Japanese Volunteer’s Quest to Uncover WWII Remains
As he trekked through the mud and rocks of Japan's humid Okinawan jungle, Takamatsu Gushiken came upon a slope where human remains have remained unnoticed since World War II. At 72 years old, he took a moment to pray and lifted a makeshift protective cover, revealing half-buried bones believed to belong to a young Japanese soldier.
"These remains deserve to be returned to their families," said Mr. Gushiken, a businessman who has dedicated over 40 years to searching for war casualties. Recently, the island of Okinawa…