Yesterday, the group led by the Most Reverend Ryoyu Okeya visited the mayor’s office to hand Flores a check for $1,000.
Flores said they will use the donation to buy equipment for their regular cleanup drive.
“I will be visiting the shrine and provide cleanup operation. If the other agency will not do it, the mayor’s office will,” he told the group.
Members of the Nenpou Shinkyo Buddhist denomination visited the island to hold memorial ceremonies for the casualties of World War II in Marpi on Sunday.
Flores invited the group to also visit the southern part of the island, saying it has many Japanese landmarks before and after the war erupted.
During their brief conversation yesterday, the mayor told the group about his experiences with the Japanese people during his childhood.
“The Japanese were hard working people and they were eager to develop the island,” he recalled.
He said before the war, all Japanese houses on island had their own water tanks.
“There was no shortage of water at that time,” he added.
Flores said the crime was also very low during the Japanese administration of the NMI because people were afraid to get punished.
Okeya said his group appreciated the lively discussions they had with the mayor.
