Cowra students have joined with officials from Japan to plant cherry blossom trees, lining the road from Cowra's POW camp to the war cemetery.
Attending the tree planting ceremony was Hiroaki Asada, whose father in law was one of the survivors of the breakout. Also in attendance was Japan's Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Yasushi Hosaka, on behalf of Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Japan's ambassador to Australia, Kazuhiro Suzuki.
Presenting at the ceremony, Mayor Ruth Fagan said "Tree planting is an important part of our celebrations and commemorations. We've planted nearly two hundred cherry blossom trees from here at the camp all the way down to the war cemetery."
Care of the trees will be left to two Cowra students, Patrick and Emily Twigg, who assisted the delegates in the ceremony.
Eighty years on, Mr Suzuki said he wished to extend his appreciation to the citizens of Cowra for their care for the site.
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"It's really exemplary, and a powerful case for post-war reconciliation between Japan and Australia. I really think it shows the world how completely our relationship has transformed from the tragedy of the second world war." Mr Suzuki said.
The cherry blossom planting has become something of a tradition, with Mr Suzuki sharing the history of tree planting by dignitaries and representatives of Japan.
"In 1973 the Crown Prince of Japan came to Cowra and planted a cherry tree. And 10 years later, the late prime minister Shinzo Abe also planted a cherry tree. And this tradition will be repeated by the current prime minister, Fumio Kishida -- it really indicates how much this means to us all."
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