The biggest airborne tragedy to ever hit Japan took place in 1985, when a Japan Airlines flight en route to Osaka from Tokyo crashed into a mountain ridge shortly after takeoff, killing all but four of its 524 passengers. It happened exactly 23 years ago, during the Obon holiday, and is the deadliest single airplane crash in history. Kyu Sakamoto, the guy who first sang the now-famous "Sukiyaki" song, died on the plane, as did the grandfather of one of my best friends from middle school.
Today, there are still about 2,700 items found at the crash site in Gunma that have not been claimed by relatives of the deceased. These include watches, glasses, keys, camera lenses, and a calculator—small things. Starting next Monday, Japan Airlines will be displaying some of these items at Tokyo's Haneda Airport as part of a campaign on air safety.
Is this being displayed at the Air Safety Museum? (I think that's what it's called.)
Some would probably think this is tacky, but there's already a museum dedicated to this crash where parts of the airplane are displayed - and it's all supposed to be a reminder to promote air safety. If I remember right, JAL was actually pressured to do this - they'd just assume not keep reminding the country that its worst-ever air crash was a Japan Airlines flight.
My guess is these items are a new exhibit at that museum.
Posted by: Jeff | August 13, 2008 at 08:45 AM