80th anniversary of Victory over Japan
A general debate on the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan is scheduled for Monday 21 July 2025 in the main chamber.
15 August 2025 will mark 80 years since the surrender of the Japanese imperial forces, effectively ending the Second World War.
US President Harry S. Truman informed reporters gathered at the White House that Japan had agreed to an unconditional surrender on 14 August 1945. Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced in a radio broadcast the surrender of his country on 15 August, and hostilities ceased that day.
This decision by Japan came shortly after the dropping of nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 6 and 9 August.
The UK and other Commonwealth countries mark Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on 15 August. In Australia it is referred to as Victory in the Pacific Day or VP Day. The United States marks VJ Day on 2 September, the day formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay.
According to the Royal British Legion, by 1945 across Asia and the Pacific there were 365,000 British and 1.5 million Commonwealth troops deployed. A significant number of the latter being formed of the pre-partition Indian army. The Legion sets out some statistics on the casualties in the Pacific theatre of war:
90,332 British troops were casualties in the war against Japan, of which 29,968 died and 12,433 were held as prisoners of war. Of the Allied forces, the US suffered the greatest losses, with more than 100,000 killed in action. Estimates put Chinese losses both civilian and military, at approximately 20 million, others suggest the figure could be as high as 50 million. Over 2.6 million Japanese people lost their lives including a million civilians killed as a result of military action, disease or starvation.
The UK government have announced a series of events to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. These include an event at the National Memorial Arboretum to honour VJ veterans, which will be broadcast live. The Red Arrows will join historic Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft for a flypast over the national VJ Day 80 commemorations.
Members of the public will also be encouraged to participate in a national two-minute silence on Friday 15 August, and to organise their own local events to commemorate the anniversary.
News stories
The following is a selection of press and media articles relevant to this debate.
Please note: the Library is not responsible for either the views or accuracy of external content.
Eighty years after Trinity, the horror of the atomic bomb lives on
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
16 July 2025
Eighty years after the atomic bomb attacks, my mother’s stories still haunt me
Arms Control Today
Masako Wada
July/August 2025
VJ Day veterans to be honoured on 80th anniversary
BBC News
Susie Rack
19 June 2025
Royal British Legion calls on VJ Day veterans to join 80th anniversary
Independent
Phoebe Huzij
19 June 2025
Britain’s Second World War veterans dwindle to 8,000
The Times
Tom Whipple
19 June 2025
Press releases
National two-minute silence to mark VJ Day 80
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
14 July 2025
National two-minute silence will be held at 12 noon on 15 August 2025 to honour the 80th anniversary of VJ Day
PQs
27 May 2025 | HL7445
Asked by: Lord Richards of Herstmonceux
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory over Japan, and whether they will publicise those plans in good time before the events.
Answering member: Baroness Twycross | Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Government announced the VE and VJ Day 80 programme with a statement to both Houses on 13 March. Debates were held on the same topic on 6 May in the House of Commons and on 9 May in the House of Lords.
On Friday 15 August, the Royal British Legion, supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), will lead a service at the National Memorial Arboretum to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, honouring those who served in the War in the Far East.
DCMS is also supporting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to run more than 250 mobile exhibitions across the UK and at key global commemorative sites to the Pacific, highlighting the stories of those who fought in the Second World War.
To recognise the war’s continuation beyond VE Day and the sacrifices made in the Far East, the Government’s National Engagement Programme runs throughout this 80th anniversary year to include both VE and VJ Day. More information is available at ve-vjday80.gov.uk.
25 Apr 2025 | 39496
Asked by: James Cartlidge
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding has been allocated by her Department to support the delivery of (a) VE day and (b) VJ day commemorative events (i) in the UK (ii) overseas.
Answering member: Stephanie Peacock | Department for Culture, Media and Sport
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is working closely with veteran organisations, including the Royal British Legion (RBL), to provide travel, welfare and infrastructure support to ensure veterans can attend official events in the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also working with veterans’ charities to support and where necessary fund veterans’ attendance at relevant VE Day and D-Day commemorations overseas.
DCMS is working closely with key departments and external partners who will make a significant contribution to the VE and VJ Day 80 commemorations, including the MOD for ceremonial and military assets. Final costs will be confirmed after the event and in due course.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, an Arm’s Length Body of the MOD, reinforces the nation's Covenant promise to support Armed Forces personnel, their families and veterans. The Trust manages the £10 million annual Armed Forces Covenant Fund on behalf of the MOD and collaborates with the UK Government to deliver strategic and targeted programmes that benefit Armed Forces communities.
10 Mar 2025 | 34907
Asked by: James Cartlidge
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans his Department has to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Japan.
Answering member: Al Carns | Ministry of Defence
The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) is the cross-Government lead for events commemorating the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) Day and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is working closely with DCMS colleagues to support the national programme of events for both anniversaries.
On 5 May over 800 members of the Armed Forces will process up The Mall, culminating in a flypast over Buckingham Palace with current and historical military aircraft including the RAF Aerobatic team ‘The Red Arrows’. On 6 May, the MOD will support the Poppy Installation launch at the Tower of London with a military Band. On 8 May, VE Day, the MOD will provide senior Defence representation and musical support for the Thanksgiving Service at Westminster Abbey. In the evening the MOD will provide musical support as part of the VE concert on Horse Guards Parade.
To commemorate VJ Day, an event will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum which the MOD will support with senior representation and military assets.
08 Nov 2024 | 11956
Asked by: Chris Vince
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to take steps to recognise people who were prisoners of war in the Far East at any VJ Day 80th anniversary commemoration.
Answering member: Al Carns | Ministry of Defence
The 80th anniversary of VJ Day in August 2025, led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will serve as a significant occasion to honour the service and sacrifice of all those who served in the Far East and brought the Second World War to an end. The Government continues to recognise those that served in the Far East during World War II, with eligible personnel entitled to receive the Pacific Star and the Burma Star in recognition of their service.
Debates
80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan
9 May 2025 | House of Lords | 845 cc1793-1868
Lords motion to take note of the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan. Agreed to on question.
Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan: 80th Anniversary
6 May 2025 | House of Commons | 766 cc602-652
Motion that this House has considered the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan. Agreed to on question.
Statements
The 80th Anniversary Of Victory Over Japan
15 Jul 2025 | HCWS821
Statement on the Government's plans to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day.
Victory in Europe and Japan: 80th Anniversaries
13 Mar 2025 | 763 cc1306-1317
Statement on the Government's plans to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day.
The 80th Anniversaries Of Victory In Europe And Victory Over Japan
13 Mar 2025 | HCWS520
Statement on the Government's plans to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day.
Further reading
VE Day and VJ Day: Commemorations for the 80th anniversaries, House of Commons Library
British military medals and how to apply, House of Commons Library
End of the second world war: 80th anniversary, House of Lords Library
VE | VJ Day 80, Official UK government website for the commemorations
Remembering VJ Day, Royal British Legion website
We connect the past and the future – always have and always will, Hiroshima for Global Peace website