Dr. Sachihiro Omura, the pioneer of the Kaman-Kalehöyük archaeological excavations, founder of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology, and a cultural bridge between Japan and Türkiye, has passed away. Dr. Omura, who died in Kaman at the age of 76, first came to Türkiye in 1972. He led the excavations at Kalehöyük in Kaman, Kırşehir, starting in 1985, and also served as the president of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology, which stands as a symbol of cultural and scientific collaboration between Türkiye and Japan. A funeral ceremony for Dr. Sachihiro Omura, who brought great cultural value to our country and region, was held on May 22, 2025, in the garden of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology in the Kaman district. The ceremony saw high attendance, including Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil, officials from the Embassy of Japan in Ankara, Deputy Governor İsmail Çetinkaya, Director of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kimiyoshi Matsumura, Dr. Omura's wife Dr. Masako Omura, his daughter Sachiko Omura, colleagues and close associates, local protocol members, students, citizens, and press members.

During the funeral ceremony, speeches were delivered in memory of Japanese archaeologist Dr. Sachihiro Omura. In their speech, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı, Dr. Omura's wife Masako Omura, Kırşehir Governor Murat Sefa Demiryürek, Director of the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kimiyoshi Matsumura, and former Governor of Kırşehir Mustafa Yıldırım emphasized the importance of the cultural heritage Dr. Omura brought to Türkiye and underlined that he was a highly respected scientist for the country.

Rector of KAEU Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kasım Karahocagil expressed his sorrow over the loss of Japanese archaeologist Dr. Sachihiro Omura, who was not only a distinguished scientist contributing greatly to Türkiye but also someone deeply devoted to Turkish culture. Emphasizing Dr. Omura’s significant contributions to Anatolian history, Rector Karahocagil stated that his name would be kept alive at KAEU, and said, “In line with the decision taken, we will honor the memory of Dr. Sachihiro Omura, who made valuable contributions to our region, by naming a classroom in the Department of Archaeology after him.”.

Following the ceremony, the coffin was carried on the shoulders and accompanied by Turkish and Japanese flags held by students, as the funeral procession departed from Kaman to Ankara. Dr. Omura’s funeral will later be transported from Ankara to his homeland, Japan.