Japanese War Memorial
This memorial was constructed by the Japanese after the war as a peace memorial, and a monument to those who lost their life in and around Rabaul. It is located above the town, with a beutiful view of the area that was once occupied by thousands of Japanese Navy and Army personel.

Shrine
The center of the memorial is an alter with a hole that allows a single ray of sunlight down onto the dias. The back wall of the memorial is a huge map of the Pacific, with New Britain and Rabaul in the center.

Controversial Construction
The memorial was very controversial when it was built. The massive map is also the map of Japanese conquests during the war. Also, to each side of the memorial are stylized "bunkers" . This was particulary disturbing to the Australian Administration who saw this memorial that symbolizes the Japanese occupation, and not peace.

Return to Memorials | Rabaul | Main Page