Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan on Tuesday marked the 78th anniversary of the end of World War II with a government-sponsored ceremony in Tokyo to mourn the approximately 2.3 million military personnel and 800,000 civilians who perished in the war.

The ceremony was held at the Nippon Budokan and was attended by Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio. 

“On this day when we mourn our war dead and pray for peace, I am struck by deep sorrow for the many people who lost their irreplaceable lives in the war and for their bereaved families,” Emperor Naruhito said. “In the 78 years since the end of the war, the peace and prosperity of Japan has been built through the tireless efforts of its people. I am deeply moved when I think of the many hardships that the Japanese people have gone through.”

“Reflecting on the long period of peace since the end of World War II, I sincerely hope that through our reflection of the past and our deep remorse the ravages of war will never be repeated. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences for all the people of our country and pray for world peace.”

The national memorial service is held every year on August 15, the day Emperor Hirohito made a historic radio broadcast to the Japanese people that ended the war in the Pacific. Flags are lowered to half-mast and a moment of silence was observed at noon for those killed in the war, including those who lost their lives as a result of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Prime Minister Kishida is elected from Hiroshima, which was targeted on August 6, 1945. The bomb at Nagasaki was dropped on August 9.

“More than 3 million of our compatriots lost their lives in the last war,” Kishida said. “For those who died on the battlefield worrying about the future of their homeland and wishing for the happiness of their families, for those who died in foreign lands far away after the war, in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in the bombing of our cities, and during the ground battle in Okinawa, I pray from the bottom of my heart that the souls of the victims may be at peace in the comforting presence of all the spirits.”

“We will never forget that the peace and prosperity of our country today is built on the precious lives and hardships of all of you. After the war, Japan has consistently advanced its steps as a peace-loving nation. Taking the lessons of history to heart, we have devoted ourselves to the peace and prosperity of the world.

We will continue to adhere to this resolute pledge never to repeat the ravages of war. We will pave the way for the future of our country for the generations living today and for generations to come.”

More than 2,000 members of bereaved families attended the ceremony, including around 800 over the age of 80.

Other attendees included the Chairmen of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors, the head of the Supreme Court, Ministers of State, former Prime Ministers, the President of the Japan Newspaper Association and the President of the Japan Religious Federation.