It's been 80 years since US forces invaded Okinawa, beginning one of the bloodiest battles of World War Two.
More than 200,000 people lost their lives as fighting engulfed Japan's southern prefecture. American troops first landed on Zamami in the Kerama Islands, about 40 kilometers west of Okinawa's main island.



A memorial service was held in the village of Zamami on Wednesday. Residents gathered to mourn the roughly 1,200 people who died there during the fighting between Japanese and US troops. The victims' names are inscribed on the Tower of Peace cenotaph.



The casualties included hundreds of civilians who killed themselves during the chaos of the battle. The prefecture estimates more than 560 islanders died by mass suicides. Some used hand grenades given to them by the now-defunct Imperial Japanese Army.



Mass suicides also occurred across Okinawa's main island and on Iejima Island. It is believed that people took their own lives because they were taught in school and by the military to do so to avoid being taken as prisoners of war.



Takaesu Toshiko, 93, is among the survivors. She said: "I don't want my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to experience the fear and pain I went through at that time. I pray that this peace will continue for a long time."



Locals face challenges in passing down memories of the battle to future generations as the number of living survivors dwindles each year.