At noon on August 15th every year, sirens sound throughout Japan, and all television and radio broadcasts are interrupted. It's time for one minute of silence. At noon on August 15, 1945, Emperor Showa broadcast the ``Edict to End the War'' over the radio, informing the people that Japan had accepted the Potsdam Declaration and was surrendering. This broadcast is called ``Gyokuon Housou''. August 15, 2026 will be the 81st summer since the end of World War II.
🏛️ National War Memorial Ceremony
On August 15th, the ``National War Memorial Ceremony'' will be held at the Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, the Prime Minister, the Speakers of both Houses of Representatives, and representatives of the bereaved families will attend, and at noon, everyone will observe a minute's silence. The ceremony will commemorate the approximately 3.1 million people who died in World War II (approximately 2.3 million soldiers and civilians, and approximately 800,000 civilians).
This ceremony has been held annually since 1963 and is broadcast nationwide on television. During the noon moment of silence, high school baseball games being held at Koshien are also temporarily suspended, and the entire stadium observes a moment of silence. Department stores and commercial facilities will also be calling for a moment of silence over the public address system.
Points to understand about Japan on August 15th
- Midday silence:If you are outdoors at noon on August 15th, you may hear sirens blaring and people around you may stop and pray in silence. Although it is not mandatory, the sight of those present bowing their heads silently shows what this day means to Japan.
- Overlap with Obon:August 15th falls during the Obon period (August 13th to 16th). The fact that Obon, which welcomes and holds memorial services for the spirits of ancestors, and Memorial Day, which commemorates those who died in war, coincide at the same time creates a unique atmosphere in Japan in August.
- TV/newspaper special features:From early to mid-August, Japanese television stations broadcast an intensive series of documentaries and special programs about the war. Newspapers also publish testimonies of those who experienced the war and articles covering the battlefields.
- Yasukuni Shrine (Yasukuni Jinja):Yasukuni Shrine, located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, is a shrine that enshrines approximately 2.46 million people who died in war from the Boshin War to World War II. Many worshipers visit on August 15th.
📖 The term “August Journalism”
The Japanese media's concentration of war-related reporting in August is sometimes called "August journalism." As the three days of August 6th (Hiroshima), August 9th (Nagasaki), and August 15th (end of the war) occur in a short period of time, Japan at this time is enveloped in an atmosphere of being forced to face war.
If you are in Japan on August 15th, the city will be moving as usual, but there will be a moment of silence at noon. How each person perceives this day differs from person to person, but the fact that you are in Japan on the day the war ended 81 years ago may be a memorable part of your trip.