King Charles led VJ Day commemorations in the UK on Friday, marking the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in the Second World War. The national service of remembrance, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, included a two-minute silence and wreath-laying. The Queen, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and 33 veterans aged 96 to 105 were among the attendees.
Powerful testimonies were read aloud, recalling the terrible cost of the war in Asia. A flypast featured the Red Arrows and historic Second World War aircraft, including a Spitfire, Hurricane, and Lancaster bomber. Royal Navy veteran Alfred Conway watched his great-granddaughter lay a wreath on the Burma Railway memorial, while George Durrant, who served in the intelligence corps, urged the nation not to forget the sacrifices of his comrades.
In a pre-recorded audio message, King Charles paid tribute to Allied prisoners of war who endured brutal captivity, starvation, disease, and cruelty. He also made a direct reference to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, saying: 'We should also pause to acknowledge that in the war's final act, an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – a price we pray no nation need ever pay again.'
More than 90,000 British troops were casualties in the war against Japan, with nearly 30,000 deaths. Over 12,000 Britons were among the 190,000 Commonwealth troops held as prisoners of war. The US suffered the greatest Allied losses, with over 100,000 killed in action. In Hiroshima and Nagasaki, more than 200,000 people were killed by the atomic bombs or succumbed to radiation sickness and injuries.
In Japan, Emperor Naruhito expressed 'deep remorse' and 'a deep and renewed sense of sorrow' in a speech. However, a visit by two cabinet ministers to the Yasukuni Shrine, seen by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's wartime aggression, drew anger. China's foreign ministry summoned Japan's embassy chief to lodge solemn representations. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a customary offering to the shrine, but no Japanese prime minister has visited since 2013.
Hundreds of buildings across the UK were lit up on Friday evening to mark VJ Day 80, including Buckingham Palace, 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and the White Cliffs of Dover.
