TOKYO (AP) - Japan has returned to using the prewar name for the island of Iwo Jima - site of one of World War II’s most horrific battles - at the urging of its original inhabitants, who want to reclaim an identity they say has been hijacked by high-profile movies like Clint Eastwood’s “Letters from Iwo Jima.”
The new name, Iwo To, was adopted Monday by the Japanese Geographical Survey Institute in consultation with Japan’s coast guard.
Surviving islanders evacuated during the war praised the move, but others said it cheapens the memory of a brutal campaign that today is inextricably linked to the words Iwo Jima.
Back in 1945, the small, volcanic island was the vortex of the fierce World War II battle immortalized by the famous photograph by Joe Rosenthal of The Associated Press showing Marines raising the American flag on the islet’s Mount Suribachi.
Full Story Here:
Japan Changes Name of Iwo Jima
To the U.S. Marines it was Iwo Jima in 1945 and to the U.S. Marines it will always be Iwo Jima, now, always and FOREVER!!
The Japanese don’t want to remember and the Marines will NEVER forget!!
Semper Fidelis, to ALL Marines, and good night Chesty Puller, where ever you are!
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The Florida Masochist
We will always remember the U.S. Marines that died at Iwo Jima also.
If only we fought wars today the way we did back then. If only we had leaders today like our leaders back then.
Amen Fred, we will always remember what our valiant soldiers did there.
They don’t really expect US to call it Iwo To, do they? Ain’t gonna happen. Oh, wait a minute, I forgot who was running our education system. 20 years, tops, no school kid will know the name Iwo Jima.
They will IF they’re U.S. Marines or the children OF U.S. Marines…
You’re right. The Japanese don’t want to remember. Did you know that they do not teach about Pearl Harbor in their schools? They DO however, teach about Hiroshima. I hope that our nation will never forget Iwo Jima.
Fuck a bunch of rice burning bastards! It will always be Iwo Jima!
This is the first thing I saw when I fired up my messenger this morning. It wasn’t shocking in today’s over crowded PC world of crybabies. Had to hit on it myself…
F-k’em it will always be Iwo Jima. Semper Fi.
I bet George applauded the move all in the name of globalized PC appeasement.