Government in Japan Urges Moment of Respect for Deceased War Soldiers
In the heart of Tokyo, Japan, on August 15, 2025, a significant event unfolded at the Nippon Budokan Hall. The government-sponsored memorial ceremony for the war dead, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, was held with great solemnity.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, representatives of bereaved families, and approximately 4,500 officials and guests from various sectors of society. The event honoured over three million Japanese who lost their lives in the war, including military personnel and civilians.
The ceremony was a well-orchestrated affair, featuring several key elements. The national anthem was sung by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, and the ceremony was led by Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. Prime Minister Ishiba delivered a speech during the ceremony, expressing "remorse" for the war, a term not used in an August 15 address since 2013. He emphasised the importance of passing the lessons and memories of the war to future generations.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Crown Prince Akishino performed the reading of names of the war dead. The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence at 12:00 noon, timed to coincide with the government-sponsored memorial ceremony.
The ceremony served as a national moment to reflect on the consequences of war and renew commitment to peace. It also addressed the concern in Japan about the fading collective memory of World War II and the lessons from the era of militarism. The inclusion of the Emperor and Empress underlined the ceremony’s importance as a symbol of national unity and reflection.
Prime Minister Ishiba's speech was significant as he reaffirmed a pledge to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. However, his speech did not include an apology for Japan’s wartime aggression in Asia, a sensitive and often debated topic. Emperor Naruhito included the phrase "deep remorse" for the 11th consecutive year in his address and stressed the importance of preserving the memory of the war and its suffering to foster peace in the future.
This event reinforced Japan’s ongoing effort to commemorate its war dead with dignity, promote peace, and transmit historical memory in the face of generational change. The ceremony was broadcast live on national television and radio, allowing the entire nation to participate in this solemn event to remember the war dead in Japan.
A photograph of the heartfelt memorial ceremony, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, was captured at the Nippon Budokan Hall, with important political figures such as Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in attendance. The event stirred general news not only within Japan but also internationally, with discussions surrounding the Prime Minister's speech and the fading collective memory of World War II in Japan.
