Key Facts
• August 12, 2025, marks 40 years since the JAL crash that killed 520 people.
• On August 11, 2025, a lantern floating ceremony was held in Gunma Prefecture.
• The event took place at Kanna River near the crash site, Osutaka Ridge.
• Approximately 200 lanterns with messages were floated on the river.
• Messages included “Watch over us” and “Living with smiles in the 41st year.”
• Participants included bereaved families, local residents, and JAL employees.
• The ceremony featured accordion music and a moment of silence at 6:30 PM.
• Mayor Hachiro Kurosawa pledged to preserve Osutaka Ridge as a memorial site.
• Hideaki Ozawa, who lost his father in the crash, emphasized passing safety values to future generations.
• The event was organized by the “8.12 Liaison Group” with support from Ueno Village and JAL.
Summary
On August 11, 2025, a lantern floating ceremony was held at Kanna River in Gunma Prefecture to honor the 520 victims of the 1985 Japan Airlines crash. The event, marking the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, included approximately 200 lanterns inscribed with heartfelt messages. Participants, including bereaved families, residents, and JAL employees, gathered to pray for aviation safety and remember the victims. The ceremony featured accordion music and a collective moment of silence. Ueno Village Mayor Hachiro Kurosawa reaffirmed the commitment to preserving Osutaka Ridge as a memorial site. Hideaki Ozawa, who lost his father in the crash, expressed the importance of passing safety values to younger generations. Organized by the “8.12 Liaison Group” with support from Ueno Village and JAL, the event highlighted the enduring impact of the tragedy and the collective hope for safer skies.
