Pilgrim tour  in Papua ; sarmi, wakde, genyem, jayapura, kota baru, biak, manokwari sorong.

The New Guinea campaign of the Pacific War lasted from January 1942 until the end of the war in August 1945. During the initial phase in early 1942, the Empire of Japan invaded the Australian-administered territories of the New Guinea Mandate (23 January) and Papua (8 March) and overran western New Guinea (beginning 29/30 March), which was a part of the Netherlands East Indies. During the second phase, lasting from late 1942 until the Japanese surrender, the Allies cleared the Japanese first from Papua, then the Mandate and finally from the Dutch colony. 

The Japanese 8th Area Army, under General Hitoshi Imamura at Rabaul, was responsible for both the New Guinea and Solomon Islands campaigns. The Japanese 18th Army, under Lieut. General Hatazō Adachi, was responsible for Japanese operations on mainland New Guinea.The colonial capital of Port Moresby on the south coast of Papua was the strategic key for the Japanese in this area of operations. Capturing it would both neutralize the Allies' principal forward base and serve as a springboard for the invasion of Australia. For the same reasons, General Douglas Mac Arthur, Supreme Commander Allied Forces South West Pacific Area was determined to hold it. Mac Arthur was further determined to conquer all of New Guinea in his progress toward the eventual recapture of the Philippines. General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area Operational Instruction No.7 of 25 May 1942, issued by Commander-Allied-Forces, General Douglas MacArthur, placed all Australian and US Army, Air Force and Navy Forces in the Port Moresby Area under the control of New Guinea Force. 

World War II Army monument built by the Japanese Government in 2009 Jayapura district is intended to commemorate the history of the people of Japan and the brave soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army who lost their lives during World War II on this land in 1943 and 1944 . It was in this place on 30 April 1944, Major General Masazumi Inada 7220 with the Japanese imperial army did long march (a long drive) as far as 125 miles to the west toward Sarmi-Island - Wakde as allied forces attack and siege. From 7220 soldiers gathered here, during their journey, only 500 soldiers arrived in Sarmi Major General Masazumi Inada on May 17, 1944. More than 6,700 soldiers were killed and buried in between Jayapura and Sarmi. Japanese soldiers who were killed at that time were mostly former civilian employees who eventually died from famine, tragedy occurred sometime in March so called "tragedy of March" as much as 90% of the current Japanese soldiers died from starvation and other diseases (instead of army attacks ally). 

In the village Kuase, Genyem  are found skeletons and war equipment and cookware, one near the home of  Mr. Martin. In these places often Japanese people come on pilgrimages and prayers to commemorate the families of those killed.

In April 1998, a Japanese student who was studying at the University of Indonesia was named "Rei Makoto Okawa" Genyem visited and met with Mr. Martin (one who collects the framework of Japanese soldiers and some cooking utensils and equipment of war and stacked in one corner of the house, a wooden stake, and that's where a lot of Japanese people who visit and pray to commemorate the spirit of their family.

Until then, the government of Jayapura yet know the exact place, new in 2006, Head of Tourism, Arts and Culture Jayapura,  who is also one of the sons born Genyem, get information about the place.  At a meeting between the community,  Local government, represented by Alexander Griapon of Tourism office as Head of Jayapura district,  agreed to build a monument in the area to commemorate the deaths of Japanese soldiers, and also to provide a place for people Japanese people who want to make pilgrimages and prayers to the commemorate the families of those killed. Finally, through the Special Autonomy Fund Jayapura in 2009 built the monument (approximately 4 x 6 m) is called the "Monument of World War II, the Japanese Army.

On the monument there is an inscription that reads:

"This memorial is dedicated to the people of japan and to the brave and courageous soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army who lost their lives during the world war II on this land in 1943 and 1944. It was on this spot on April 30th 1944 that Major General Masazumi Inada assembled 7220 Troops of the Japan imperial army for a 125 mile long march westward to Sarmi-wakde in retreat againts the advancing allied forces. Of the 7220 soldiers who were gathered here to start the walk, only 500 soldiers arrived in Sarmi Major generals with Masazumi Inada on May 17th 1944. More than 6700 winner! Troops and were buried between here and Sarmi. This war memorial stands here in remembrance to all those who lost their lives and on this land during the world war II campaign and also as a symbol of world peace.  MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE.