JAL Flight 123 Crash 41st Anniversary Marked With Lantern Release in Gunma
Bereaved families and supporters released about 200 colored lanterns into the Kanna River in Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture, on August 11, 2026, to mark the 41st anniversary of the 1985 JAL Flight 123 crash that killed 520 people. The ceremony, co-organized by the 8.12 Liaison Council and Ueno Village with JAL's assistance, included a moment of silence and a rendition of Kyu Sakamoto's "Sukiyaki." A memorial climb and formal ceremony are scheduled for August 12.
The 1985 JAL Flight 123 crash marked its 41st anniversary. On the evening of August 11, 2026, at the Kanna River at the foot of Osutaka Ridge, the crash site in Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture, bereaved families and related parties held a memorial ceremony, releasing about 200 colored lanterns into the river to mourn the 520 victims. The ceremony was co-organized by the "8.12 Liaison Council" of bereaved families and Ueno Village, with operational support from JAL. The event began around 6 PM; after a moment of silence, participants sang "Sukiyaki" (Ue o Muite Aruko), the signature song of singer Kyu Sakamoto (43 at the time), who died in the crash.
The weather was overcast that day. Lanterns in white, green, orange and other colors, bearing messages such as "cherish each day," drifted slowly downstream as bereaved families watched with hands clasped in prayer. Kimi Ozawa, 70, from Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, who lost her husband Takayuki (29 at the time) in the crash, wrote on her lantern, "Thank you for always watching over me. I will do my best for another year," and said, "The longer time passes, the stronger my husband's presence in my heart becomes," expressing her longing for her late husband. Chiho Wakamoto, 61, from Yamato, Kanagawa Prefecture, who lost her father Shoji (50 at the time) when she was 20, fought back tears and said, "This is a painful place that reminds me of the regret and anger from that time, but coming here also brings me peace of mind."
On the morning of August 12, bereaved families will begin a memorial climb from Osutaka Ridge, and in the afternoon a formal ceremony will be held at the Ien no Sono memorial facility. The crash occurred on August 12, 1985, when JAL Flight 123, en route from Haneda Airport to Osaka with 524 passengers and crew on board, crashed at Osutaka Ridge in Ueno Village, Gunma Prefecture, killing 520 people.