AR Technology Preserves Memorial for Korean Wartime Laborers Removed by Gunma Prefectural Government
Gunma Prefecture, Japan – In a groundbreaking move to preserve historical facts and memories, a memorial for Korean wartime laborers that was removed by the Gunma prefectural government has been digitally reproduced using augmented reality (AR) technology.
The AR memorial, developed by Akitsugu Maebayashi, a professor of media art at the Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences, allows visitors to see the replicated cenotaph mapped onto the actual landscape using tablet computers and smartphones equipped with a specialized app.
The original memorial, erected by a citizens group at Gunma no Mori park in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, commemorated Korean workers mobilized to factories and mines during Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910-1945. However, the prefectural government tore down the cenotaph, citing political remarks made at commemorations held at the site.
Maebayashi, who was disturbed by the quick removal of the memorial, sought to ensure that the history and memories associated with the site were not erased. With the help of a researcher skilled in virtual techniques and artist Yoshio Shirakawa, Maebayashi began working on the project in February.
Using more than 300 photographs taken around the former site of the cenotaph, the developers were able to recreate the memorial in virtual form. The AR app allows users to view a 360-degree representation of the memorial, including close-ups of a plaque inscribed with the words “Remembrance, Reflection, and Friendship.”
According to Shirakawa, the virtual memorial serves as a powerful tool for provoking memories and preserving historical facts. Maebayashi echoed this sentiment, stating that the virtual monument aims to share memories and ensure that important historical facts are not forgotten.
In a time where the preservation of historical facts is becoming increasingly difficult, Maebayashi believes that AR technology can play a crucial role in safeguarding the past. While the original memorial may have been vulnerable to destruction, the virtual cenotaph remains on site as a lasting reminder of the importance of preserving history.
As visitors interact with the AR memorial, they are encouraged to reflect on the significance of the site and the stories it represents. Through this innovative use of technology, the developers hope to ensure that the memories of Korean wartime laborers and the historical context of Japan’s past are not lost to future generations.
