Families and residents gathered in Gunma Prefecture on Wednesday to honor the 520 people [1] who died in the Japan Airlines Flight 123 crash.
The annual commemoration serves as a critical reminder of aviation safety and the enduring grief of those affected by the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history.
Participants gathered at the Shinryu River in Ueno Village for a *toro nagashi* ceremony, where floating lanterns were released into the water [2]. The lanterns were released at 6:56 p.m. [2] to coincide with the exact time the aircraft crashed 41 years ago [2].
Beyond the river ceremony, some mourners conducted memorial climbs up the ridge of Mount Osutaka, the site of the crash. One bereaved family member said they climb the ridge to ensure the accident is not forgotten.
The event drew a diverse crowd, including local residents and students from Mikuri Higashi Elementary School in Fujioka. One student said the children made the lanterns to deliver their thoughts to the victims.
For many, the date remains a deeply personal anniversary. Shin Mitajima, 54, spoke about the emotional toll of the loss of his brother [2].
"For me, summer is the day my brother comes back to life inside me, the day he comes back tomorrow, so I am preparing for that," Mitajima said. "Why did you die? Why did the plane fall? Please come back."
While most reports date the ceremony to Aug. 12 [2], some local reports indicated lanterns were released on Aug. 11 [1]. The gatherings focused on praying for the victims, and wishing for continued safety in the skies [2].
“The lanterns were released at 6:56 p.m. to coincide with the exact time the aircraft crashed.”
The continued observance of the Flight 123 tragedy four decades later highlights the deep cultural imprint of the disaster on Japanese society. By involving elementary students and maintaining precise timing for rituals, the community ensures that the lessons of aviation safety are passed to younger generations who did not experience the 1985 crash.
