Japan commemorated the 80th anniversary of its surrender in World War II on Friday with ceremonies in Tokyo that reflected both national mourning and regional controversy.
Tens of thousands of people visited the Yasukuni Shrine, a Shinto memorial honoring 2.5 million Japanese war dead since the late 19th century — including convicted war criminals from World War II. The site has long drawn criticism from countries that suffered under Japan’s wartime aggression, particularly China and South Korea.
While visitors paid their respects, Emperor Naruhito delivered a speech at a nearby ceremony, expressing “deep and lasting sadness” over the nation’s wartime history. Standing alongside Empress Masako, he said:
“My thoughts are with the many people who lost their precious lives in the last war and with their bereaved families. Reflecting on our past with deep sorrow, I sincerely hope the devastation of war will never be repeated.”
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged to preserve the painful memories of the war, pass them to future generations, and work toward lasting peace. Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, seen as a potential future prime minister, visited the Yasukuni Shrine for the first time as a cabinet member.
The Imperial Family is scheduled to visit Nagasaki in September to meet survivors of the August 1945 atomic bombing and honor those who died.
The Yasukuni visits once again drew sharp responses from Beijing and Seoul. China’s Foreign Ministry said the visits reflect a “wrong attitude” toward Japan’s history of aggression, while the South Korean government voiced “deep disappointment and regret,” urging Japan to show genuine remorse as the basis for future relations.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi commented, “Only by facing history can one earn respect. Only by remembering the past can we avoid repeating the same mistakes.”
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected to travel to Japan on August 23–24 for talks with Prime Minister Ishiba.
