Remembering VJ Day 80 of the End of World War II2025年08月15日

　　On 15 August, I attended “Remembering VJ Day 80 Years On” of the end of World War II, following Japan’s surrender. I was with families of former Japanese servicemen. The commemoration, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, was attended by their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and veterans and families of Britain and other countries who fought with Britain.
  　In a message issued on the occasion, His Majesty the King said, “We should also pause to acknowledge that an immense price was paid by the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Price we pray no nation need ever pay again."

　　As same as at the Victory in Europe commemoration in May, the King also spoke directly with veterans and joined them for a meal. I deeply respect his attitude and thoughtfulness.

　　Ms. Akiko Macdonald, whose father fought in the Japanese Army during the “Battle of Imphal,” Japan’s last major campaign, married a British citizen and now serves as Chairperson of the Burma Campaign Society, dedicated to postwar reconciliation between Japan and Britain.

　　Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Hiroshi Suzuki, also laid a wreath. The ceremony program introduced the visit to the UK last year by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan. It says the UK and Japan are “friends like no other” 

　　Fifty years ago, with the “Song of Asia”, a goodwill mission of the Initiatives of Change, I travelled the world with young people from tribes of the Imphal region and others from Asia, which inspired me to devote myself to reconciliation efforts with Asia. Having also helped foster exchanges and reconciliation between former prisoners of war and former Japanese soldiers, this was a profoundly moving day for me.

　I also laid flowers at the memorial site that recreates the infamous Thai-Burma Railway, made famous by the film The Bridge on the River Kwai. The railway is remembered for the harsh forced labour imposed by the former Japanese military on British and other prisoners.