Japan Marks 81 Years Since WWII Surrender with Calls for Peace

Japan marked 81 years since its surrender in World War II on August 15, with more than 4,000 people attending a national memorial ceremony in Tokyo.

Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae paid tribute to approximately 3.1 million people who died in the war and called for peace and remembrance.

The ceremony included a moment of silence, while the Emperor urged future generations to preserve memories of the hardships of war and the importance of lasting peace.

Meanwhile, Thousands also visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, which honors about 2.5 million war dead, including convicted wartime criminals.

The visits have drawn controversy because the shrine also commemorates figures convicted of war crimes linked to Japan’s wartime aggression in Asia.