The Battles of Imphal and Kohima, Japanese Operation in North-East India, translated into English by Prof Tohmatsu Haruo and Prof Hatashin Omi, was launched on Tuesday at Imphal Peace Museum (IPM), Maibam Lotpa Ching in Bishnupur district, Manipur.
The book was launched recently in Delhi and Kolkata and it is likely to be released in January 2023.
As stated by Yuii Nakamura of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan, the launching event is an important part of the 70th Indo-Japan relationship and the book is planned to be donated to many educational institutions and libraries.
“We have been reading the British perspective of the battle but not from the perspective of the Japanese and INA. This book will change the narratives of the people about the war,” said IPM director Haobam Joyremba.
Speaking on the Battles of Imphal and Kohima which was one of the furious battles in the 2nd World War resulting in many tragic incidents and losses of many lives, Education minister Th Basanta said it has resulted in giving privilege and importance to Imphal and Kohima.
However, it also gave a message that war is full of sufferings and has no victory; it is humanity that comes ultimately in the end, he added. He is looking forward to reading it soon, he said, extending his gratitude to the Manipur Tourism Forum for bringing a new chapter and perspective to strengthen the relationship between Japan and Manipur.
Stating that the representation model of a Japanese soldier kept in the IPM looked weak and unjust, the minister further suggested improvement of overall stature of the soldier to give the Japanese soldier a dignified look.
Basanta also lauded the efforts of IPM team for making the museum as a living memory of the Battle of Imphal, which has now become a must visit place for tourists and a study centre for the students.
Organised jointly by the Japan India Friendly Relations, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Knowledge World and Manipur Tourism Forum, an academic discourse on ‘Japan Lan’ by Prof N Lokendra, NDA Japan Prof Tohmatsu Haruo, Prof Hatashin Omi and chief editor of Imphal Review of Arts and Politics Pradip Phanjoubam was also held as part of the launching event.
The programme was also attended by Manipur Tourism Forum president P Kunjabihari.
