Tomorrow marks the 75th Anniversary of Japan’s surrender to Allied forces on 15th August 1945.
Victory over Japan Day – or VJ Day – signalled the end of World War Two, three months after hostilities had ended in Europe in May 1945. The war in south-east Asia began in December 1941 after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, and in the following months, Japan conquered large areas in neighbouring countries and the west Pacific.
Three years of conflict in the region finally ended just days after two nuclear bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6th and 9th August 1945.
Japan's surrender was announced by Emperor Hirohito on 15th August and the formal surrender declaration was signed on 2nd September 1945, aboard the battleship U.S.S. Missouri, attended by representatives of nine Allied nations.
Convener Malcolm Bell said: “The end of the hostilities in south east Asia marked the end of almost six long years of global conflict. It was then truly a time to rejoice and to reflect on the sacrifice made by so many both here in Shetland and overseas. We must remember the 75th Anniversary of VJ Day as day that peace finally broke out and people could begin to enjoy freedom again. Sadly, COVID restrictions mean our planned commemoration has been scaled back but it is, none-the-less, important that we do pause to mark this historic event.”