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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Mari Yamaguchi and Mayuko Ono

Japan marks end of WWII as survivors remember wartime emperor's surrender speech 80 years ago

Japan Day of Surrender - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Friday is the 80th anniversary of then-Emperor Hirohito's announcement of Japan's World War II surrender, but as living witnesses die and memories fade, questions remain in Japan about how the war should be taught to younger generations.

A national ceremony will begin at Tokyo’s Budokan hall at noon, the same time then-Emperor Hirohito’s 4½-minute prerecorded speech began on Aug. 15, 1945, on national radio.

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