Overview:
Angaur’s interim leadership has ordered a pause to Japan’s World War II remains recovery work on the island. Governor Steven Salii says the suspension will remain in place until land ownership is clarified and proper approvals are secured, emphasizing the need to protect property rights, due process and the dignity of the remains.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (Feb. 2026) — Angaur Interim Governor Steven R. Salii has ordered a temporary suspension of World War II human remains recovery work being conducted by Japan, citing unresolved land ownership issues and the need for proper authorization under Palau and state law.
In a formal letter to Palau’s Ministry of State, Salii directed that activities by representatives of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Angaur — including excavation and recovery of wartime human remains — be halted until specific conditions are met.
The suspension applies until ownership of the affected land is clearly established and access and authorization are approved through the required processes of the Republic of Palau and Angaur State, with the explicit agreement of the landowner, according to the letter.
The decision marks a shift from the approach taken by former Gov. Natus Misech, who was recalled from office earlier this year. During his term, Misech worked with the Ministry of State and the Government of Japan to support the recovery of World War II remains in Angaur as part of Japan’s long-running humanitarian program to repatriate its war dead.
Salii emphasized that the suspension is procedural rather than a rejection of the recovery effort itself. In his letter, the interim governor said the measure is intended to protect property rights, cultural heritage, due process, and the dignity of the remains, as well as the families and communities affected by the work.
Angaur State, he said, remains committed to continued cooperation with Palau’s national government, Japan and other stakeholders so that the recovery project can resume once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied.
The governor requested that the Ministry of State formally communicate the directive to the Government of Japan and assist in coordinating the steps needed to bring the project into compliance with local and national approval processes.
Japan has conducted remains recovery missions across Palau for decades, particularly on former battlefields such as Angaur, Peleliu and Babeldaob, where intense fighting occurred during World War II. The missions are generally coordinated through Palau’s Ministry of State in cooperation with state governments and landowners.
Salii’s directive comes amid heightened scrutiny of governance and accountability issues in Angaur following the recent recall election that removed Misech from office. While the suspension letter focuses on land ownership and authorization concerns, it follows earlier calls by Japan’s former ambassador to Palau, H.E. Orikasa, for the Palau government to investigate missing funds linked to a Japan Grassroots Grant awarded to Angaur.
Those funds were cited in an audit report as unaccounted for during Salii’s previous term as governor in 2024. The audit issue is separate from the remains recovery effort but has contributed to broader public attention on administrative oversight in the state.
Neither the Ministry of State nor Japanese officials have publicly commented on when the suspended recovery work might resume. Salii’s letter indicates that Angaur State will support the continuation of the humanitarian mission once land ownership is clarified and all required approvals are obtained.