Soldiers' bones returned from Papua
The Japan Times: November 10, 2005

JAKARTA (Kyodo) Japanese researchers, Indonesian security officials and local people found the skeletal remains of Japanese World War II soldiers in a cave on an island in the easternmost province of Papua, the state-run news agency Antara said Tuesday. One of the researchers added that the remains have been repatriated.

Antara reported that the skeletons were found recently inside a cave on Wakde Island on the eastern part of the province.

Chief Sgt. Hans Kadiwaru, a local soldier who got involved in the search, was quoted as saying the researchers began work in September.

Along with the remains, the researchers discovered weapons, helmets, telescopes and other items.

"Most of the skeletons are Japanese soldiers, and some are local villagers who are believed to have tried to hide from Allied attacks," Kadiwaru said, adding that the Japanese skeletons had been flown to Japan.