Marking Battle of Okinawa anniversary, governor of southern Japanese islands urges diplomacy

News Snapshot:

TOKYO (AP) — The governor of Japan’s southern prefecture of Okinawa marked the 78th anniversary of one of World War II’s bloodiest battles Friday by calling for more diplomatic efforts toward peace, saying a military building on the islands has residents fearing becoming embroiled in regional tensions. The Battle of Okinawa killed about 200,000 people, nearly half of them Okinawan residents. Japan’s wartime military, in an attempt to delay a U.S. landing on the main islands, essentially sacrificed the local population. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, in his peace declaration, said Okinawans suffered “unimaginable damage” and mark the anniversary by reminding...