Imperial family member Princess Hisako of Takamado attended a ceremony on May 31 marking 100 years since Japan rescued Polish orphans stranded in Siberia after World War I.

The orphans were rescued with the support of the Japanese Red Cross and other organizations between 1920 and 1922, with a total of 765 children coming to Japan.

The ceremony was attended by 38 of the orphans or their descendants and was held at Fukudenkai, which runs the orphanage where the orphans stayed before returning to Poland.

Princess Hisako of Takamado: It is heartbreaking that so many conflicts are occurring in the world today and precious lives are being sacrificed. I hope that the circle of friendship like that between Japan and Poland will expand and that the world will be at peace as soon as possible.

Following the address by Princess Hisako, a ceramic relief with a photograph from that period was unveiled where she took pictures with some of the attendees.