In a poignant act of reconciliation and remembrance, efforts are underway to exhume the remains of 24 Japanese soldiers buried at the historic Mainamati War Cemetery in Cumilla. The soldiers, victims of World War II, will be repatriated to Japan, marking the culmination of years of diplomatic and logistical planning.

A seven-member forensic team from Japan began the delicate task of exhuming the graves on November 13 under tight security provided by local authorities. The operation, which will end by November 24, is supported by the Bangladesh government and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), said Abdur Rahim Sabuj, country administrator for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Of the 737 soldiers from 13 countries buried there, 24 are Japanese.

Deputy Cumilla Commissioner Amir Kaisar said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the approval of the Chief Adviser, invited the delegation. Local law enforcement, including the police, provide security during the excavation work.

The sacred grounds of Mainamati

Located in Cumilla Cantonment, the Mainamati War Cemetery is a solemn testimony to the sacrifices of soldiers from 13 nations during World War II. The cemetery, meticulously maintained by the CWGC, holds 737 graves. Of these, 24 belong to Japanese soldiers, their final resting place to date.

In the past, the cemetery witnessed a similar act of repatriation when, in 1962, the remains of an American soldier were taken back by family members. Today, the Japanese government has undertaken a similar mission, seeking to honor its fallen soldiers.

Delicate excavations and emotional discoveries

The forensics team has already excavated 10 graves, carefully preserving the remains, which include skulls and various bones. Kazi Sajjad Ali Zahir, a decorated liberation war hero, researcher and independence medalist, is playing a key role in the project.

“The remains are 81 years old, so it’s a challenge to recover a lot,” Zahir explained. “We dig two feet with excavators and then do it by hand, making sure each fragment is treated with respect.”

A particularly poignant find was the skull of a young soldier bearing a bullet mark. “He was only 28,” Zahir said. “At that moment, I felt the need to hug him. His youth, his sacrifice — it’s heartbreaking.”

International cooperation

This project is a collaborative effort between Japan, Bangladesh and CWGC. The years-old initiative gained momentum after Japan formally wrote to the Bangladesh government last year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitated the process, and local law enforcement provided security for the delegation during the dig.

“The Japanese government initiated this in 2013, but due to various reasons, it was delayed,” Zahir said. “Now, with official approval, work is finally progressing.”

The Japanese forensic team consists of six Japanese experts and one American, all of whom are highly skilled in handling remains from historic tombs.

Remembering the fallen

Mainamati War Cemetery is a global monument to the sacrifices of soldiers of various nations and faiths during World War II. Of the 737 buried: 172 were Muslims, 24 Buddhists, 2 Hindus, and the rest were Christians.

Their nationalities were diverse, comprising 357 from Great Britain, 12 from Canada, 12 from Australia, 4 from New Zealand, 1 from South Africa, 171 from undivided India, 3 from Rhodesia, 56 from East Africa, 86 from West Africa , 1 from Burma, 1 from Belgium, 24 from Japan and 1 from Poland.

The site reflects the global reach of war and the shared pain of loss between nations.

A tribute to sacrifice

As the remains of these Japanese soldiers prepare for their final journey home, this act underscores the lasting importance of honoring those who gave their lives in war. For Bangladesh, it is also a moment to reaffirm its commitment to cooperation, respect for history and the dignity of the departed.

This quiet and somber effort serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the bonds that can unite nations in remembrance and reconciliation.