Bereaved families and local children climbed the ridge of Mt. Osutaka on Wednesday to honor victims of Japan Airlines Flight 123 [1].
The annual pilgrimage occurs as the families of the deceased face the growing challenge of passing the memory of the disaster to younger generations. With many survivors and relatives aging, there is an urgent push to ensure the lessons of aviation safety are not lost.
The group climbed through rain toward the crash site in Gunma Prefecture, marking the 41st year [2] since the disaster occurred on Aug. 12, 1985 [1]. The crash resulted in 520 deaths [1] and left only four survivors [1].
Shin Mitajima, 54, participated in the climb to remember his brother, Ken. "I have a feeling of 'I came again this year.' First, for my brother. The family must remember Ken," Mitajima said.
Other participants reflected on the weight of the loss. One woman, who lost a colleague in the crash, said she must work hard for the sake of those who died. She noted that each of the 520 victims had their own life, and that the living must persevere in their honor.
Reports on the exact timing of the 1985 crash vary between sources, with some citing 6:12 p.m. and others citing 6:56 p.m. [2, 5]. Regardless of the precise minute, the site remains a focal point for national mourning and safety prayers.
A representative for the bereaved families expressed concern over the future of the pilgrimage. The representative said that eventually, they will no longer be able to climb the mountain. They noted that they cannot simply tell others to take over, but hope that people will want to continue the tradition on their own.
“The family must remember Ken”
The shift in focus toward 'memory succession' highlights a critical phase in disaster recovery. As the primary witnesses and victims' immediate families age, the responsibility for maintaining the historical record of Japan's deadliest single-aircraft accident moves from personal grief to institutional and community memory.
