The Fujita Salvage Operation: a Sydney-based writer published a book about the mission impossible

Seventeen years after Japanese warplanes sank seven warships in Darwin Harbour, a Japanese firm, the Fujita Salvage Company, came to Darwin to tackle the mission impossible - removing the ships left in the harbour. It is considered to be one of the greatest act of reconciliation.

A Sydney-based writer Mina Matsudaira (right) wrote a book about Mr Ryugo Fujita (second from the right) and his family. Credit: SBS/Northern Territory Library Senichiro Fujita Collection

Employees of the Fujita Salvage Company, 1959 Credit: Northern Territory Library Senichiro Fujita Collection PH0874/0021

A Sydney-based writer Mina Matsudaira is from Japan and has been living in Sydney for 36 years. But it was only recently that Ms Matsudaira came across the information on the operation at the library in Darwin.

Ms Matsudaira decided to write her first non-fiction book on the mission, hoping more people would get to know more about this achievement and an act of reconciliation.

Employees of the Fujita Salvage Company celebrate New Year’s Day on board the MV British Motorist, 1961 Credit: Northern Territory Library Senichiro Fujita Collection PH0874/0136

In the audio, Ms Matsudaira tells us why she decided to write a book about the operation and how her research went.

There are more than 200 photos taken during the operation. In 2010, the photos, videos, and other related documents were donated to the Northern Territory Government by Mr Senichiro Fujita, son of Mr Ryugo Fujita who was in charge of the operation.

Darwin residents dining with Fujita Salvage Company staff on board the MV British Motorist, 1961 Credit: Northern Territory Library Senichiro Fujita Collection PH0874/0134

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