Latest news with #JapaneseSurrender
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
History of Japanese aggression teaches lessons that must not be forgotten
The Victory Day parade in Beijing on September 3 commemorates Japan's formal surrender 80 years ago and the end of the second world war. August 15, the day the Japanese government actually conceded defeat, prompts solemn reflection on the history of Japanese aggression that cost millions of lives. It is timely to recall the quote, 'Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it'. Advertisement On this particular day, lessons of war must be learned, particularly by Japan. As we report, China's People's Liberation Army, in a commentary in the PLA Daily on the same day, criticised Japan for hollowing out its pacifist constitution and 'embarking on the dangerous path of military expansion'. The People's Daily also ran a commentary calling for history not to be forgotten. Remembering history does not entail perpetuating hatred, but safeguarding its lessons for regional and world peace for future generations. Japan should take seriously China's concerns about its military expansion in recent years in the name of 'self-defence', and also about Tokyo's characterisation of a 'China threat' to Taiwan. Japan commemorates the August 15 surrender solemnly on that day. In Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's commemoration address, it was more than necessary to hear him express remorse over the war – the first time the word has been used in a prime minister's speech at the ceremony in 13 years – and pledge to pass on the memory of the conflict to subsequent generations. It is good to see some Japanese political figures, academics and others advocating genuine reflection on war crimes for the long-term interests and peace of Japan and the region. At the same time, Ishiba's remarks coincided with a visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which commemorates war dead including convicted war criminals, by Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. Such visits glorify Japanese militarism. The minister's action cannot be tolerated and should be condemned. Advertisement Japan should take China's concerns seriously if it is sincere in improving bilateral relations.
Telegraph
20 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
I learnt of horrors and heroism from Mountbatten, King says in VJ Day tribute
The King has spoken proudly of the role his great uncle, Lord Mountbatten, played in the final throes of the Second World War as he marked the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on Friday. In a six-minute audio address to the nation, His Majesty paid a heartfelt tribute to the 'courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity's darkest hour'. And he described how much he had learnt from Lord Louis Mountbatten, his great-uncle, who headed the Allied Forces' South East Asia Command and in September 1945, received the Japanese surrender at Singapore. The King also spoke of the horrors faced by innocent civilian populations of occupied territories, a tragedy, he noted, that was 'all too vividly demonstrated by conflicts around the world today'. Of those who fought against the Japanese in the Pacific and the Far East, he said their joining of forces across 'vast distances, faiths and cultural divides' remained 'a vital lesson for our times'. Later on Friday morning, the King and Queen were to join Sir Keir Starmer at a service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, where some 1,500 guests will hear moving first-hand testimony from those who served. The guests of honour will be 33 veterans, aged from 96 to 105, who fought in the Far East and Pacific. As their numbers dwindle, this milestone anniversary will be all the more poignant. The King's audio message echoed the one his grandfather, George VI, delivered to the nation on August 15 1945, when he declared: 'The war is over.' 'Seldom can a simple message have resonated with such a potent mix of relief, celebration, and sorrow for those who never lived to see the glow of freedom's new dawn,' Charles said. 'On this day of profound remembrance, I speak to you in that same spirit of commemoration and celebration as we honour anew all those whose service and sacrifice saw the forces of liberty prevail.' Lord Mountbatten, once described by the then Prince Charles as 'the grandfather I never had', joined the Royal Navy in 1916 and served in both world wars. In October 1943, he was appointed Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command, with responsibilities stretching from India and Sri Lanka to Burma, Malaya and Indo-China. He was murdered on August 27 1979 when the IRA detonated a bomb on his family's boat in the harbour of Mullaghmore, north west Ireland. 'A toll measured not only in gravestones' The King said of the battle in the Pacific: 'While that final victory… was achieved under the strategic command of our steadfast American allies, the war in South East Asia had reached its climax under the leadership of my great-uncle, Lord Mountbatten, from whom I learnt so much about the particular horrors and heroism witnessed in those furthest fields of combat. 'The forces aligned under him comprised over one million men and women, drawn from many different countries, religions and communities, but united by common purpose and indomitable spirit. 'Twenty-nine Victoria Crosses bear eloquent testimony to their valour, but I know full well of the toll it took on so many – measured not only in gravestones, but in the mental and physical scars of those who survived.' The King acknowledged that those who fought on in Asia for three months as the UK celebrated Germany's surrender sometimes considered themselves 'the Forgotten Army'. However, as patron of the Burma Star Memorial Fund, he recalled accompanying his great uncle in 1978 to the its annual reunion at the Albert Hall, which was 'filled with thousands of bemedalled veterans'. 'It has been my privilege to reassure the remaining veterans that they and their fallen comrades shall never be forgotten,' he said. But the King's overriding message was one of peace. Perhaps mindful of the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, he urged listeners across the UK, the realms and the Commonwealth to learn the lessons of the past, warning that collaboration was more powerful than any arms. 'In times of war and in times of peace, the greatest weapons of all are not the arms you bear, but the arms you link,' he said. 'So to the families of all those who served, and to that sadly dwindling band of veterans among us still, please know that the courage and camaraderie displayed in humanity's darkest hour is a flame that shall blaze for eternity – a beacon that honours our past and guides our future. 'Let us therefore pledge to be vigilant guardians of the values they bequeathed to us.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
County prepares to mark 80th anniversary of VJ day
Towns and villages across Northamptonshire are preparing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. The Japanese surrendered to the allied forces on 15 August 1945, bringing to an end five years of devastating conflict. Church services will be held, flags will be raised and music will be played across the county on Friday. One council has arranged for lamps to be lit at all of its offices. The Japanese surrender came as a relief to many, but especially to the men of the Northamptonshire Regiment. They had taken part in one of the most gruelling campaigns of the war - the operation to halt the Japanese entry into India. The battles of Imphal and Kohima resulted in 16,500 casualties among the British forces while the Japanese lost more than twice that number. There were fears that the Northamptonshire Regiment would be forced to prepare for action in Japan, but Emperor Hirohito's surrender made such a plan unnecessary. It meant the war was now well and truly over. The town of Desborough near Kettering has already paid its tribute, with a picnic in the park on Saturday. Musicians, children's rides and refreshments were on offer at the town's recreation ground. The hot weather is disrupting some of the planned events - a beacon lighting ceremony in Long Buckby has been called off because of the risk of fire in local fields. A two-minute silence will be observed instead in the Market Place at 12:00 BST on Friday. North Northamptonshire Council's offices in Corby, Thrapston, Kettering, Rushden and Wellingborough will be displaying red Lamp Lights of Peace lanterns on Friday. Martin Griffiths, the leader of the Reform UK-controlled authority, said: "VJ Day reminds us of the immense bravery and resilience shown by those who served in the Far East and the Pacific. "Their contribution was vital in securing peace." Remembrance services are being planned in several places, including Brackley, where people will gather at the Piazza in front of the town hall at 08:45 BST. A service of remembrance and thanksgiving is planned for Daventry's war memorial at 19:00 BST on Friday. Rushden's service takes at 11:00 BST at the war memorial, and includes a talk by former merchant navy officer and TV extra David Hawker. There will be wartime music and further tributes at Hall Park from 20:00 BST. The people of HIigham Ferrers will share two minutes of silence at their war memorial at 12:00 and a peace lamp will be lit. A service marking the anniversary of the outbreak of peace will take place a day later at Holy Sepulchre Church in Northampton at 11:00 BST, while All Hallow's Church in Wellingborough pays its tribute at 15:00 BST on Sunday. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Historic aircraft to take part in VJ Day flypast Towns plan VJ Day 80th anniversary commemorations A town remembers on 80th anniversary of VE Day Related internet links North Northamptonshire Council VE and VJ Day
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Northamptonshire prepares to mark 80th anniversary of VJ day
Towns and villages across Northamptonshire are preparing to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World Japanese surrendered to the allied forces on 15 August 1945, bringing to an end five years of devastating services will be held, flags will be raised and music will be played across the county on council has arranged for lamps to be lit at all of its offices. The Japanese surrender came as a relief to many, but especially to the men of the Northamptonshire had taken part in one of the most gruelling campaigns of the war - the operation to halt the Japanese entry into battles of Imphal and Kohima resulted in 16,500 casualties among the British forces while the Japanese lost more than twice that were fears that the Northamptonshire Regiment would be forced to prepare for action in Japan, but Emperor Hirohito's surrender made such a plan meant the war was now well and truly over. The town of Desborough near Kettering has already paid its tribute, with a picnic in the park on children's rides and refreshments were on offer at the town's recreation hot weather is disrupting some of the planned events - a beacon lighting ceremony in Long Buckby has been called off because of the risk of fire in local fields.A two-minute silence will be observed instead in the Market Place at 12:00 BST on Friday. North Northamptonshire Council's offices in Corby, Thrapston, Kettering, Rushden and Wellingborough will be displaying red Lamp Lights of Peace lanterns on Griffiths, the leader of the Reform UK-controlled authority, said: "VJ Day reminds us of the immense bravery and resilience shown by those who served in the Far East and the Pacific."Their contribution was vital in securing peace."Remembrance services are being planned in several places, including Brackley, where people will gather at the Piazza in front of the town hall at 08:45 BST. A service of remembrance and thanksgiving is planned for Daventry's war memorial at 19:00 BST on service takes at 11:00 BST at the war memorial, and includes a talk by former merchant navy officer and TV extra David will be wartime music and further tributes at Hall Park from 20:00 people of HIigham Ferrers will share two minutes of silence at their war memorial at 12:00 and a peace lamp will be lit.A service marking the anniversary of the outbreak of peace will take place a day later at Holy Sepulchre Church in Northampton at 11:00 BST, while All Hallow's Church in Wellingborough pays its tribute at 15:00 BST on Sunday. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Northamptonshire council 'not doing enough' to mark VJ Day
A council is being accused of not doing enough to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day on occasion commemorates the Japanese surrender, which effectively meant the end of World War Cowley-Coulton, a Conservative member of Northampton Town Council, said it was "absolutely horrifying" that West Northamptonshire Council is not, at the very least, organising a flag-raising Reform UK-controlled authority said it would be observing a two-minute silence across its buildings and flying the Union Jack. Although the surrender document was not signed until 2 September 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced that his country would capitulate on 15 communities in Northamptonshire have organised events to mark the 80th anniversary, including North Northamptonshire Council, which will display peace lamps at five of its a recent statement by West Northamptonshire Council invited residents to "come together to mark VJ Day in a number of ways" and advertised a national two-minute silence. Cowley-Coulton, an army reservist, has written to the council "with some amount of disappointment regarding a lack of events and flag-raising service/ceremony".He noted that there were "next to no events for the 80th anniversary" and called on the authority to organise a flag-raising ceremony to which veterans would be said: 'It's the end of the last major global conflict that all nations were involved in."We do need to come together and we do need to remember it, and I think it's absolutely horrifying that West Northamptonshire Council have not done that.' 'Civic pride' Cowley-Coulton has several relatives who served during the two World Wars, including a great uncle who flew Lancaster said: 'People need to remember their forefathers, and they need to be given the opportunity by a council to restore the civic pride that we had.'The leader of West Northamptonshire Council, Mark Arnull, said: 'We know how important the VJ Day 80th anniversary is to our communities and on Friday we absolutely will be remembering all those who courageously served and sacrificed."We will be observing a two-minute silence across our buildings and encouraging our communities to do the same. The Union Jack flies at our offices as a symbol of national pride and remembrance for all those who both serve and served our country.' Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
