In a moment of profound historical significance, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has offered a heartfelt apology for the suffering endured by Dutch prisoners of war during Japan's occupation in World War II. The solemn gesture took place during the monarch's state visit to Japan, alongside Queen Máxima.
A Solemn Tribute at the Hypocenter
The royal couple paid their respects at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and the nearby Peace Park, the epicentre of the devastating attack on August 9, 1945. Their visit was marked by a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial, a powerful symbol of the city's tragic past and its enduring plea for global peace.
Addressing a Painful Legacy
"I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the terrible suffering inflicted upon the Dutch prisoners of war here," King Willem-Alexander stated. His words directly acknowledged the brutal conditions faced by soldiers and civilians interned in Japanese camps across Southeast Asia, a chapter of history that continues to resonate deeply in the Netherlands.
A Shared Commitment to Peace
The Dutch royals' itinerary underscores a shared commitment to a nuclear-free future. Their tour included the museum's haunting exhibits, which detail the bomb's immediate impact and the long-term effects of radiation on survivors, known as hibakusha.
This visit, following an audience with Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo, represents a delicate but crucial step in reconciling a painful wartime history while strengthening modern diplomatic ties between the two nations.
