Latest news with #KunikoMiyajima
Kyodo News
5 days ago
- General
- Kyodo News
FEATURE: Aging kin of 1985 JAL jet crash victims leaving messages for future
UENO, Japan - The steady passing of aging relatives of the victims of the 1985 Japan Airlines jumbo jet crash has been sad to watch for Kuniko Miyajima, a leading advocate for those who lost loved ones in the world's deadliest single-aircraft accident. But on its 40th anniversary, Miyajima's dedication to remembering the tragedy through her support group remains steadfast, especially in the interest of future air safety. In its first essay collection in a decade, her group self-published a booklet in mid-July in which dozens of its members record their emotional journeys and still-vivid memories of those they lost in hopes that it will provide valuable life lessons. "Telling our stories requires forcing our emotions out and it always carries a bit of pain. But safety is something we must build together, rather than just pray or wish for," writes the association of bereaved families. "Not forgetting the feelings helps strengthen safety culture." Preserving the memories of the accident remains challenging, both among the public and within Japan Airlines Co. As of the end of March, only 0.1 percent of employees had been with the company since the disaster. Including those rehired after reaching retirement age, the percentage is 3.6, according to JAL. The association released a collection of memoirs nearly every year until the 30th anniversary, titled "Akanegumo" (Red Cloud). The title refers to the sunset glow that passengers and crew aboard JAL Flight 123 would have seen on the evening flight before the crash, which claimed the lives of all but four of the 524 on board. In the new booklet, "After the Red Cloud," Machiko Taniguchi, 77, writes about how she still misses her husband, who died in the tragedy at the age of 40. She vows to continue her efforts to pass down her family's story through an illustrated book she created. Kimi Ozawa, whose 29-year-old husband died while she was pregnant with their child, writes, "Our son and his wife are now showing me a world I had hoped to walk through with you. They are beaming and, in them, I see reflections of ourselves." "Another year begins, and I will try to live -- please watch me, like you've always done," she adds. Some of the victims' offspring also contributed. Masayoshi Yamamoto, who was 5 when his father died in the crash, says he is happy watching his own children grow up. However, he cannot help but think, "If only my father were alive." Yamamoto reaches out to younger generations through a manga portraying the accident on social media. He says he wishes to preserve the lessons learned, especially as the anniversary makes him think more about aging families and fading memories. Many contributors felt the significance of recording their thoughts as they looked beyond the 40th anniversary, said Miyajima. An unexpectedly large number of essays were submitted, including some from elderly individuals who may have difficulty writing. A total of 32 people revealed their feelings in the booklet, including seven who had never contributed to the "Akanegumo" series before. In late July, Miyajima presented the latest publication to around 200 JAL employees gathered at the airline's headquarters in Tokyo to listen to her lecture on safety. "This is not just about resentment and bitterness," she told them, encouraging the audience to read the booklet. "I hope you will see a light for the future." In her essay, Miyajima, 78, writes about the helpless rage and sorrow she felt for her 9-year-old son, Ken, who died in the accident on Aug. 12, 1985. She also writes about her commitment to "forever keeping alive the memory of those who perished in the sunset sky" and her gratitude to those who have supported her. On the day of the accident, Miyajima saw Ken off at Haneda airport in Tokyo as he boarded the ill-fated flight to Osaka to visit relatives. His solo plane trip was a reward from his parents for swimming 25 meters in a pool for the first time. Approximately 12 minutes after takeoff, the flight crew lost control of the Boeing 747 and it slammed 32 minutes later into a mountain in Gunma Prefecture, which came to be called Osutaka Ridge. The accident stemmed from a faulty repair of the plane's rear pressure bulkhead seven years earlier following a tail-strike incident during landing. According to the accident investigation report, the bulkhead ruptured, blowing off the aircraft's vertical stabilizer and destroying its hydraulic lines. Only parts of Ken's body including his right hand were retrieved and returned to his family. Miyajima, who described herself as an "ordinary housewife" before the crash, became a powerful advocate for air safety and better assistance for victims of public transportation accidents after her son's death. Her group's persistent calls to preserve the wreckage of the crashed plane were successful when, in 2006, JAL opened its Safety Promotion Center, which displays parts of the crashed aircraft as well as other debris, and actual notes and photos of the final messages written by those on board. The center, located near Haneda airport, is used for the education of JAL Group employees and is open to the public. The facility inspired European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE to open its own safety center in 2023, which showcases lessons learned from past accidents. During her July lecture, Miyajima praised the response to an incident in which a JAL jetliner collided with a coast guard plane at Haneda airport in January 2024, with all 379 passengers and crew evacuated from the burning JAL plane in what some foreign media outlets called a "miracle." Miyajima noted that continual training was likely behind the swift evacuation but emphasized that safety also relies on individual mindsets and the importance of being open to varying points of view. "I sometimes felt that JAL employees were shunning the bereaved families, which hurt my feelings because it made me think that the company was made up of people who were all the same, lacking individuality," she said. "But -- although it took quite a while -- there have been employees thought about safety with us and walked alongside us," she said. "As the 41st year begins, let's work together to create safety."
The Mainichi
6 days ago
- General
- The Mainichi
Editorial: Commitment to aviation safety must be renewed 40 years after JAL jet crash
This Aug. 12 marked 40 years since a Japan Airlines jumbo jet crashed in Gunma Prefecture in the eastern part of the country. The accident claimed the lives of 520 passengers and crew members, making it the world's deadliest single-aircraft accident. On the anniversary of the disaster, relatives of the victims climbed Osutaka Ridge, the crash site, to offer prayers and pay their respects. It should serve as an opportunity to renew commitment to aviation safety. The role played by the bereaved family group called "8.12 association" to prevent a recurrence has been significant. To ensure the lessons are not forgotten, the group urged Japan Airlines Co. to preserve the aircraft. Twenty-one years after the accident, the Safety Promotion Center was established near Haneda Airport in Tokyo, displaying the victims' belongings. The group also raised questions about the accident investigation report with the Japan Transport Safety Board, leading to the creation of an explanatory booklet for clearer understanding. This allowed the issues to be shared with society. In response to the group highlighting the insufficient care for the bereaved, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism launched a support office for the families of the victims in public transportation accidents. "Safety is built upon the determination of the victims and their families," says Kuniko Miyajima, 78, the group's secretary-general. However, accidents persist. In January 2024, a Japan Airlines plane collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Haneda Airport, resulting in both catching fire. There has been a slew of cases suggesting a lack of safety awareness. Multiple violations of alcohol consumption regulations by airline pilots have been exposed. With the anticipated increase in air travel demand due to the rise in foreign visitors, continuous efforts are essential to avert accidents from happening in the early stages. It is also necessary to strengthen computer systems to avoid major accidents, even if human error occurs from maintenance to operation. The crash was caused by the failure of the rear pressure bulkhead, which maintains cabin pressure, blowing off the vertical stabilizer and making the aircraft uncontrollable. Although Boeing Co. cited "inadequate repairs" of the pressure bulkhead as the cause of the accident, the background and details remain unclear due to a lack of cooperation from the American company. This year, the group published a collection of essays titled "Akanegumo sono ato ni" (After the Red Cloud) for the first time in 10 years. A man who lost his then 49-year-old father and is now a parent himself reflected on his dad's sorrow once again. "It is crucial to pass on the lessons to prevent a repeat of the tragedy," he wrote. Society must collectively embrace the weight of the 40 years each bereaved family member has spent confronting the accident, and uphold their wishes for safety.
Japan Today
12-08-2025
- General
- Japan Today
Families mark 40th anniversary of 1985 JAL jet crash
Relatives of the victims mark the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Japan Airlines jumbo jet crash at a cenotaph in Ueno, Gunma Prefecture, on Tuesday. Families of the victims of the 1985 Japan Airlines jumbo jet crash on Tuesday marked the 40th anniversary of the tragedy that claimed 520 lives, bearing deep sorrow and hope never to see another accident like it. Relatives of those who died in the world's deadliest single-aircraft accident climbed a steep mountain trail from the morning to mourn their loved ones at the Osutaka Ridge crash site in Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. The commemorative pilgrimage to the 1,565-meter crash site by families and others close to the victims has been held every year, including during the coronavirus pandemic when events were scaled back. The climb has become increasingly challenging for relatives as they age. Climbers offered a silent prayer at the memorial monument for the victims and for flight safety, with many expressing their determination to keep the memory of the accident alive. Kuniko Miyajima, 78, who has led an association of bereaved families who lost her 9-year-old son, Ken, said, "These 40 years I have been supported by my comrades. I will continue to convey the value of life." JAL said 217 people from 63 families had made the climb as of 11 a.m. CEO Mitsuko Tottori also visited the site to lay flowers, bowing deeply before the monument after removing her rainwear. A memorial ceremony will be held at the foot of the mountain in the village of Ueno at 6:56 p.m., the exact time of the impact. On Aug 12, 1985, JAL Flight 123, en route from Tokyo to Osaka, crashed nearly 45 minutes after takeoff, leaving only four survivors among the 524 passengers and crew aboard. Many of the passengers on the Boeing 747 were traveling to their hometowns during Japan's Bon summer holiday season. The dead included singer Kyu Sakamoto, known for his smash-hit song "Sukiyaki." The Japanese government's official investigation report, released in 1987, blamed the accident on faulty repairs conducted by Boeing Co on the plane's rear pressure bulkhead. The bulkhead ruptured during the flight, blowing off the aircraft's vertical stabilizer and destroying its hydraulic systems. As memories fade, JAL has promoted safety awareness through a center that displays the fractured bulkhead and other wreckage as well as actual notes and photos of the last messages written by those who were on board. Its employees also visit the crash site when they are newly recruited and at other times during their careers. JAL was hailed for its successful evacuation of hundreds of passengers from a burning plane that collided with a coast guard aircraft on a runway at Tokyo's Haneda airport in January 2024. But it has also seen a series of scandals regarding pilots' alcohol consumption in recent years. According to Japan's transportation accident investigation board, no passengers have died in accidents caused by Japanese carriers that offer regular flight services since the 1985 JAL accident. © KYODO
South China Morning Post
12-08-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
‘Not forgetting': deadly Japan Airlines crash families are still mourning 40 years on
The steady passing of ageing relatives of the victims of the 1985 Japan Airlines jumbo jet crash has been sad to watch for Kuniko Miyajima, a leading advocate for those who lost loved ones in the world's deadliest single-aircraft accident. But on its 40th anniversary, Miyajima's dedication to remembering the tragedy in Japan through her support group remains steadfast, especially in the interest of future air safety. In its first essay collection in a decade, her group self-published a booklet in mid-July in which dozens of its members record their emotional journeys and still-vivid memories of those they lost in the hopes that it will provide valuable life lessons. 'Telling our stories requires forcing our emotions out and it always carries a bit of pain. But safety is something we must build together, rather than just pray or wish for,' writes the association of bereaved families. 'Not forgetting the feelings helps strengthen safety culture.' Preserving the memories of the accident remains challenging, both among the public and within Japan Airlines . As of the end of March, only 0.1 per cent of employees had been with the company since the disaster. Including those rehired after reaching retirement age, the percentage is 3.6, according to the airline. Rescuers carry bodies of victims on August 13, 1985, from the site of the Japan Airlines Boeing 747 crash near Mount Osutaka in Japan. Photo: AFP The association released a collection of memoirs nearly every year until the 30th anniversary, titled Akanegumo (Red Cloud). The title refers to the sunset glow that passengers and crew on aboard Flight 123 would have seen on the evening flight before the crash, which claimed the lives of all but four of the 524 on board.
The Mainichi
12-08-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
Aging kin of 1985 JAL jet crash victims leaving messages for future
UENO (Kyodo) -- The steady passing of aging relatives of the victims of the 1985 Japan Airlines jumbo jet crash has been sad to watch for Kuniko Miyajima, a leading advocate for those who lost loved ones in the world's deadliest single-aircraft accident. But on its 40th anniversary, Miyajima's dedication to remembering the tragedy through her support group remains steadfast, especially in the interest of future air safety. In its first essay collection in a decade, her group self-published a booklet in mid-July in which dozens of its members record their emotional journeys and still-vivid memories of those they lost in hopes that it will provide valuable life lessons. "Telling our stories requires forcing our emotions out and it always carries a bit of pain. But safety is something we must build together, rather than just pray or wish for," writes the association of bereaved families. "Not forgetting the feelings helps strengthen safety culture." Preserving the memories of the accident remains challenging, both among the public and within Japan Airlines Co. As of the end of March, only 0.1 percent of employees had been with the company since the disaster. Including those rehired after reaching retirement age, the percentage is 3.6, according to JAL. The association released a collection of memoirs nearly every year until the 30th anniversary, titled "Akanegumo" (Red Cloud). The title refers to the sunset glow that passengers and crew aboard JAL Flight 123 would have seen on the evening flight before the crash, which claimed the lives of all but four of the 524 on board. In the new booklet, "After the Red Cloud," Machiko Taniguchi, 77, writes about how she still misses her husband, who died in the tragedy at the age of 40. She vows to continue her efforts to pass down her family's story through an illustrated book she created. Kimi Ozawa, whose 29-year-old husband died while she was pregnant with their child, writes, "Our son and his wife are now showing me a world I had hoped to walk through with you. They are beaming and, in them, I see reflections of ourselves." "Another year begins, and I will try to live -- please watch me, like you've always done," she adds. Some of the victims' offspring also contributed. Masayoshi Yamamoto, who was 5 when his father died in the crash, says he is happy watching his own children grow up. However, he cannot help but think, "If only my father were alive." Yamamoto reaches out to younger generations through a manga portraying the accident on social media. He says he wishes to preserve the lessons learned, especially as the anniversary makes him think more about aging families and fading memories. Many contributors felt the significance of recording their thoughts as they looked beyond the 40th anniversary, said Miyajima. An unexpectedly large number of essays were submitted, including some from elderly individuals who may have difficulty writing. A total of 32 people revealed their feelings in the booklet, including seven who had never contributed to the "Akanegumo" series before. In late July, Miyajima presented the latest publication to around 200 JAL employees gathered at the airline's headquarters in Tokyo to listen to her lecture on safety. "This is not just about resentment and bitterness," she told them, encouraging the audience to read the booklet. "I hope you will see a light for the future." In her essay, Miyajima, 78, writes about the helpless rage and sorrow she felt for her 9-year-old son, Ken, who died in the accident on Aug. 12, 1985. She also writes about her commitment to "forever keeping alive the memory of those who perished in the sunset sky" and her gratitude to those who have supported her. On the day of the accident, Miyajima saw Ken off at Haneda airport in Tokyo as he boarded the ill-fated flight to Osaka to visit relatives. His solo plane trip was a reward from his parents for swimming 25 meters in a pool for the first time. Approximately 12 minutes after takeoff, the flight crew lost control of the Boeing 747 and it slammed 32 minutes later into a mountain in Gunma Prefecture, which came to be called Osutaka Ridge. The accident stemmed from a faulty repair of the plane's rear pressure bulkhead seven years earlier following a tail-strike incident during landing. According to the accident investigation report, the bulkhead ruptured, blowing off the aircraft's vertical stabilizer and destroying its hydraulic lines. Only parts of Ken's body including his right hand were retrieved and returned to his family. Miyajima, who described herself as an "ordinary housewife" before the crash, became a powerful advocate for air safety and better assistance for victims of public transportation accidents after her son's death. Her group's persistent calls to preserve the wreckage of the crashed plane were successful when, in 2006, JAL opened its Safety Promotion Center, which displays parts of the crashed aircraft as well as other debris, and actual notes and photos of the final messages written by those on board. The center, located near Haneda airport, is used for the education of JAL Group employees and is open to the public. The facility inspired European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE to open its own safety center in 2023, which showcases lessons learned from past accidents. During her July lecture, Miyajima praised the response to an incident in which a JAL jetliner collided with a coast guard plane at Haneda airport in January 2024, with all 379 passengers and crew evacuated from the burning JAL plane in what some foreign media outlets called a "miracle." Miyajima noted that continual training was likely behind the swift evacuation but emphasized that safety also relies on individual mindsets and the importance of being open to varying points of view. "I sometimes felt that JAL employees were shunning the bereaved families, which hurt my feelings because it made me think that the company was made up of people who were all the same, lacking individuality," she said. "But -- although it took quite a while -- there have been employees thought about safety with us and walked alongside us," she said. "As the 41st year begins, let's work together to create safety." (By Miya Tanaka)
