Japan Renews Peace Pledge on 79th War Anniversary

   Tokyo, Aug. 15 (Jiji Press)--A memorial ceremony was held in Tokyo on Thursday to mark the 79th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, with attendees renewing their pledge for peace. 

   The attendees, including Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and bereaved relatives, mourned some 3.1 million people who died in the war during the government-sponsored ceremony held at the Nippon Budokan hall.

   The Emperor said in a speech that he sincerely hopes, based on deep remorse, that the ravages of war will never be repeated.

   The annual ceremony was held without restrictions for the first time in five years after taking place on a reduced scale due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

   It started shortly past 11:50 a.m. Participants, totaling some 4,000, sang the national anthem for the first time in five years, and observed a minute of silence for the victims from noon.

   "We'll never repeat the horrors of war," Kishida said in a speech. "No matter how many years go by, we will carry on and keep this resolute pledge over generations."

   The prime minister did not touch on Japan's responsibility for the damage it caused to other Asian countries during the war.

   In his speech, Mitsuru Anzai, 86, whose father died due to an illness while in military service in China, mentioned the aging of bereaved families.

   "We, bereaved families, must now pass down stories about the tragedy of war and the importance of peace," Anzai, who was five years old when he lost his father, said. "At a time when we have increasingly fewer opportunities to pass down the lessons, conveying them to children and grandchildren is a mission of bereaved families."

   According to the welfare ministry, 3,215 bereaved family members planned to attend the ceremony, including only two spouses of those who died in the war.

   Their ages ranged from 3 to 97. Of the total planned attendees, 47 pct were aged 80 or over.
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