King Charles led the UK's 80th VJ Day commemorations at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, joined by the Queen, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and veterans who served in the Far East. A national service of remembrance and a two-minute silence marked the anniversary of Japan's surrender in the Second World War.
Powerful testimonies highlighted the war's cost, while a flypast featured the Red Arrows and historic aircraft including a Spitfire, Hurricane, and Lancaster bomber. Among the 33 veterans aged 96 to 105 was Royal Navy veteran Alfred Conway, who watched his great-granddaughter lay a wreath on the Burma Railway memorial. George Durrant, who served in the intelligence corps, urged people not to forget the sacrifices of his comrades.
In an audio message, King Charles vowed that the service and sacrifice of VJ Day heroes “shall never be forgotten.” He acknowledged the suffering of Allied prisoners of war and made a direct reference to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, saying “an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – a price we pray no nation need ever pay again.”
In Japan, Emperor Naruhito expressed “deep remorse” on the anniversary. However, a visit by two cabinet ministers to the Yasukuni Shrine angered China and South Korea, which view the shrine as a symbol of Japan's wartime aggression. China's foreign ministry summoned Japan's embassy chief to lodge representations over the visit.
More than 90,000 British troops were casualties in the war against Japan, with nearly 30,000 deaths. Over 12,000 Britons were among 190,000 Commonwealth troops held as prisoners of war. Across the UK, hundreds of buildings including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament were lit up to mark VJ Day 80.
