Former northern territories residents of Japan console ancestors from sky in chartered flights

A man makes a small altar inside the charter flight over the northern territories to console his ancestors on Wednesday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Former residents of the northern territories consoled their ancestors Wednesday from chartered planes flying near the islands. This was the first time for residents to hold memorial services in the sky.

Because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, projects to visit graves by making use of visa-free travel to the islands have been canceled, so the Hokkaido government undertook chartered flights.

On the first flight, Hokkoaido Gov. Naomichi Suzuki boarded with about 30 other passengers. The plane took off from Nemuro Nakashibetsu Airport and flew from the Shiretoko Peninsula to the coast of the Nemuro Peninsula for about one hour so that Kunashiri Island and other islands of the northern territories could be seen.

A man offers prayers inside the charter flight over the northern territories to console his ancestors on Wednesday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

"The clouds were so thick that I could not see my home island," said an 86-year-old man from Nemuro and a former resident of Taraku Island of the Habomai group of islets. "I want to land on and visit the island next year or the year after while I am still healthy."

The aerial memorial service will also be held on Oct. 25. The 127 participants in the memorial services are being split among five flights.

A view of the northern territories is seen from the window of a charter flight on Wednesday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

A view of the northern territories is seen from the window of a charter flight on Wednesday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

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