Ambassador HIGUCHI attended “The National Commemorations at the Bloody Ridge National Historical Park”
2026/9/7
On 7th September, Ambassador HIGUCHI attended the “National Commemorations at the Bloody Ridge National Historical Park.” The event marked 84 years since the decisive battles of the Guadalcanal Campaign during the Second World War.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Cooper Wale; Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon. James Bonuga; U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Mr Christopher Landau, who was visiting Solomon Islands; Guadalcanal Province Premier Hon. Willie Atu; Australian High Commissioner H.E. Jeffrey Roach; British High Commissioner H.E. Paul Turner; New Zealand High Commissioner H.E. Jonathan Curr; U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Mr Dan O'Hara; representatives of Guadalcanal Province; and other government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
The ceremony included the raising of the national flags of Solomon Islands, the United States, and Japan, as well as playing of the national anthems. All participants, including Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Cooper Wale, laid wreaths at the U.S. memorial before moving to the Japanese memorial, located approximately 400 metres away on a nearby hill, where they also laid wreaths.
The Battle of Bloody Ridge was fought from 12th to 14th September 1942. Japanese forces under the command of Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi launched an offensive to recapture Henderson Field, now Honiara International Airport, which was held by U.S. forces. However, U.S. Marines under the command of Colonel Merritt Edson defended the ridge. The fierce fighting resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, earning the site its name, “Bloody Ridge.”
In his remarks, the Ambassador emphasized that, if we are not to take peace for granted, then it is important for each of us to pass onto the next generation what we have learned from history and to have that next generation take on their own future with the wisdom they may gain from history. He also welcomed the progress being made in preserving Bloody Ridge as a national heritage asset and expressed his hope that the site would serve as an important place for remembering the past and appreciating the efforts of generations past, present, and future.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Cooper Wale; Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon. James Bonuga; U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Mr Christopher Landau, who was visiting Solomon Islands; Guadalcanal Province Premier Hon. Willie Atu; Australian High Commissioner H.E. Jeffrey Roach; British High Commissioner H.E. Paul Turner; New Zealand High Commissioner H.E. Jonathan Curr; U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Mr Dan O'Hara; representatives of Guadalcanal Province; and other government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.
The ceremony included the raising of the national flags of Solomon Islands, the United States, and Japan, as well as playing of the national anthems. All participants, including Prime Minister Hon. Matthew Cooper Wale, laid wreaths at the U.S. memorial before moving to the Japanese memorial, located approximately 400 metres away on a nearby hill, where they also laid wreaths.
The Battle of Bloody Ridge was fought from 12th to 14th September 1942. Japanese forces under the command of Major General Kiyotake Kawaguchi launched an offensive to recapture Henderson Field, now Honiara International Airport, which was held by U.S. forces. However, U.S. Marines under the command of Colonel Merritt Edson defended the ridge. The fierce fighting resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, earning the site its name, “Bloody Ridge.”
In his remarks, the Ambassador emphasized that, if we are not to take peace for granted, then it is important for each of us to pass onto the next generation what we have learned from history and to have that next generation take on their own future with the wisdom they may gain from history. He also welcomed the progress being made in preserving Bloody Ridge as a national heritage asset and expressed his hope that the site would serve as an important place for remembering the past and appreciating the efforts of generations past, present, and future.