What is Japan’s official name for its annual August 15 observance marking the war’s end?

Japan’s official name for its annual August 15 observance is Day for Mourning of War Dead and Praying for Peace.

The observance commemorates the end of Japan’s involvement in World War II and honors those who died in the conflict. It is commonly known in Japan as the Memorial Day for the End of the War, but the government’s formal designation emphasizes mourning and peace rather than victory.

August 15 is associated with Emperor Hirohito’s recorded broadcast, which was transmitted to the Japanese public at noon Japan Standard Time. The broadcast announced Japan’s acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration, although many listeners found the formal language and recording difficult to understand.

This observance should not be confused with the September 2 signing ceremony aboard USS Missouri. Different countries use different dates for V-J Day because the announcement crossed international time zones and because the formal surrender came later.