King Charles III led a national service of remembrance in the UK to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and the end of six years of conflict. The ceremony, attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, veterans, and guests of honour, featured powerful testimonies, a flypast of historic aircraft, and a laying of wreaths at the National Memorial Arboretum.
The event coincided with a sombre speech by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, who expressed “deep remorse” for his country’s wartime aggression. The visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo by two Japanese cabinet ministers sparked anger from countries that suffered Japanese military atrocities, particularly China and South Korea.
King Charles spoke of the suffering endured by allied prisoners of war during the conflict, including those held captive in Japan, and paid tribute to the sacrifices made by British troops who lost their lives. The UK has commemorated VJ Day with tributes across the country, including building light-ups at historic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.
Nearly 30,000 British soldiers died during the war, while more than 100,000 were killed in action. The US suffered the greatest losses among Allied forces, with over 200,000 people killed by atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/15/king-charles-leads-80th-vj-day-commemoration-in-uk