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Aug. 15 (UPI) — Japan commemorated the 78th anniversary of its official surrender in World War II by remembering those who lost their lives in the conflict.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako presided over a national moment of silence at the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo to honor Japan’s 2.4 million war dead, including 800,000 civilians.
“Reflecting on our past and embracing deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the horrors of war will never be repeated,” said Naruhito during his address. “Together with our people, I pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in the war and pray for global peace and the continued development of our nation.”
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, as part of his traditional ritual, opted not to pray at the controversial sanctuary that is seen by Japan’s neighboring countries as a symbol of the nation’s past aggressions. Instead, he sent an offering.
In contrast, economic security minister Sanae Takaichi visited the shrine along with policy chief Koichi Hagiuda and other former ministers of the Liberal Democratic Party, marking the fourth consecutive year that Japanese cabinet officials have prayed at the site to commemorate the 78 years since August 15, 1945.
Previous visits to the shrine by top officials, including former prime minister Shinzo Abe, have strained relations with China and South Korea due to the shrine’s recognition of military figures convicted of war crimes.
Kishida, however, chose a quieter and more personal tribute by laying flowers at the nearby Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, which he paid for using his own money and signed for using his title as the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party.
The government’s annual memorial ceremony in Tokyo was attended by nearly 2,000 Japanese citizens, including aging veterans and bereaved family members.
Since taking office in 2021, Kishida has been delivering the “masakaki” offering to the shrine instead of making personal appearances.
In response to Kishida’s mailing of the tribute, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry criticized his recognition of the shrine, stating that it “glorifies Japan’s past wars of aggression and enshrines war criminals.” Kishida emphasized Japan’s commitment to working with the international community and resolving global challenges.
Relations between South Korea and Japan had been improving recently, but South Korea continues to call for “responsible figures in Japan to face history squarely and demonstrate humble reflection and genuine remorse for the past.”
In June, Japan and South Korea agreed to reestablish currency exchanges as the two countries worked towards resolving political tensions and territorial disputes that had strained their relationship for nearly a decade.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated in Beijing that Japan must take more responsibility for its past belligerence and crimes against humanity if it wants to normalize relations with other Asian powers in the region. He urged Japan to learn from history, pursue peaceful development, and take concrete actions to distance itself from militarism.
Earlier this month, Japan observed the 78th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki, which claimed the lives of an estimated 74,000 people.
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