The Emperor and Empress Attend the National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead

On August 15, 2026, 81 years after the end of World War II, the government-sponsored National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead was held at Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan in attendance. At the ceremony, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako approached the memorial marker for the war dead and observed a moment of silence.

In his address, the Emperor emphasized the importance of continuing to pass down the hardships experienced during and after the war to future generations. He expressed his heartfelt wish that everyone would come together and continue to seek peace and the happiness of all people for generations to come.

The Emperor and Empress have long believed in the importance of passing on to future generations the tragic experiences and hardships endured by people during and after the war. Last year, they took their eldest daughter, Princess Aiko, with them on visits to Okinawa and Nagasaki, among other places.