Relatives of former Dutch prisoners of war visited Nagasaki on September 13, 2025, to honor their loved ones. The Dutch POW memorial stands at the former Fukuoka POW Camp No. 2, one of Japan’s largest wartime prison camps. Families offered flowers at the site, remembering the suffering and resilience of prisoners during World War II.
The commemoration coincides with the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. Many Dutch POWs saw the blast from their camp, and Japanese survivors built the monument in 2015. It serves as a symbol of reconciliation and peace, reminding visitors of the importance of remembrance.
Andre Schram, representing Dutch families, said the Dutch POW memorial “carries a message beyond remembrance. It is a plea for peace.” He added that it symbolizes reconciliation between former enemies. His father, Johan Willem Schram, survived forced labor and hardship at the camp and witnessed the atomic bombing on August 9, 1945.
During the war, Japan held approximately 150,000 Allied POWs across Asia. More than 30,000 were imprisoned in Japan itself, where they performed forced labor in mines and factories due to labor shortages. The No. 2 Camp in Nagasaki held about 500 POWs, mostly Dutch, along with Americans, British, and Australians. By the time of the bombing, over 70 prisoners had already died from malnutrition, overwork, and illness.
After the bombing, the camp suffered shattered windows, collapsed ceilings, and injuries to about ten prisoners. Prisoners at Camp No. 2 assisted those from the closer Camp No. 14, providing food and aid in the aftermath. Schram’s father and other survivors learned of Japan’s surrender on August 18 and received the first U.S. food drops on August 26. Two days after the formal end of the war, the POWs returned home.
Kazuhiro Ihara, a descendant of bombing survivors, emphasized that the ceremony reflects the symbolic connection between Dutch POW families and Japanese atomic bombing survivors. “This event is a step toward achieving peace,” he said. Both communities hope to deepen exchanges and foster understanding.
The Dutch POW memorial continues to remind visitors of the horrors of war and the enduring importance of reconciliation, ensuring that history is remembered while promoting global peace.
