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What remains of the Japanese fleet can be found in Chuuk Lagoon?
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Micronesian culture
Bairiki islet, Tarawa Atoll, Kiri.
In Chuuk Lagoon, the remains of the Japanese fleet consist of numerous sunken ship hulls that were destroyed during Allied attacks in World War II. Following a series of intense air and naval strikes in February 1944, which resulted in the destruction of approximately 200,000 tons of Japanese merchant shipping, these vessels were left on the floor of the lagoon.12
Today, these shipwrecks are a popular destination for scuba divers and have become integrated into the local marine environment, often serving as foundations for new coral reef growth. In addition to the sunken ships, remnants of Japanese military presence in the area include ruined weapons and fortifications located on the islands themselves.1