Families of the victims of Japan Airlines Flight 123 climbed Mount Osutaka on Wednesday to honor those killed in the 1985 crash [1, 2].
The annual pilgrimage serves as a commitment to ensure the tragedy is not forgotten and that the loss of life leads to continued aviation safety [1, 2].
Participants hiked the Mizutori-no-Obane ridge in Gunma Prefecture, where the aircraft crashed on Aug. 12, 1985 [1, 3]. A total of 112 participants reached the summit by 11 a.m. [1]. The group held a memorial ceremony that included a moment of silence at 18:56, the exact time the original crash occurred [1].
The disaster killed 520 passengers and crew [1]. Only four people were seriously injured and survived the impact [1]. For many relatives, the climb is a physical and emotional act of remembrance.
Survivor and activist Makoto Mitajima joined the hike to speak with the deceased [1]. Mitajima said that the visit is a way to tell the victims, "I came again this year," and to promise that they will not be forgotten [1].
Mitajima emphasized the necessity of remembering the event to prevent similar tragedies from happening again [1]. Mitajima said that continuing to share the story of the crash is a personal mission to ensure the 520 lives lost were not in vain [1].
The 41st anniversary marks decades of grief and advocacy for the families involved [1]. While the event has moved further into the past, the annual hike remains a central tradition for those affected by the disaster [1, 2].
“"I came again this year... I will not forget."”
The continued observance of the JAL Flight 123 anniversary underscores the lasting trauma of the deadliest single-aircraft accident in history. By maintaining a physical presence at the crash site, survivors and families transform a site of tragedy into a permanent reminder of the necessity for rigorous safety protocols in the aviation industry.
