World War II ended 75 years ago, but some countries commemorate it on different days. An AP Q&A explains.
FILE - In this Sept. 2, 1945, file photo, U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, left, watches as the foreign minister Manoru Shigemitsu of Japan signs the surrender document aboard the USS Missouri on Tokyo Bay. Lt. General Richard K. Sutherland, center, witnesses the ceremony marking the end of World War II with other American and British officers in background. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, is the 75th anniversary of the formal Sept.
TOKYO — World War II ended 75 years ago, but not all countries commemorate it on the same day. Wednesday is the anniversary of the formal Sept. 2, 1945, surrender of Japan to the United States, when documents were signed officially ending years of bloody fighting in a ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. It’s known as V-J Day in some countries. But some nations mark Aug. 15 as the war’s end, the day Japan’s emperor made a speech announcing the surrender.
Countries also mark different dates for political and historical reasons. In 2014, China set Sept. 3 as a newly formalized historical day to annually mark the Victory Day of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The country celebrates with a military march. The Philippines also observes Sept. 3, the day in 1945 when Japanese Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita surrendered in that country. Russia, which declared war against Japan on Aug.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, also Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, signed for the United Nations, with Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz signing for the U.S. Delegates from other allied nations, including Britain, France, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, China and the Soviet Union, witnessed the half-hour ceremony.A: The official signing of Japan’s surrender ordered that the country must cease all military actions, liberate prisoners of war and others in captivity and follow other terms.
Since 1954, Japan has spent tens of billions of dollars in development aid, initially meant as war compensation, for the region. But it took more than two decades for Japan to normalize diplomatic ties with some of its wartime Asian foes. It restored ties with South Korea in 1965, and with China in 1972, though disputes over wartime history continue to affect Japan’s ties with its neighbors.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Meet the last survivor of a legendary World War II subWilliam 'Bill' Leibold, 97, of Escondido, served aboard the submarine Tang and is a U.S. Navy 'living legend'
Read more »
Popular favorite for Japan PM, Ishiba, urges closer ties with AsiaJapanese former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba, a favorite in opinion polls to become the next premier, told Reuters on Monday Tokyo should deepen ties with Asian neighbors, including South Korea, amid growing tension between China and the United States.
Read more »
Suga seen top contender in Japan PM race as ruling party plans slimmed-down voteJapan's chief government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, moved a step closer to becoming the next premier when the ruling party decided on Tuesday on a slimmed-down leadership vote that favours the long-time lieutenant of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Read more »
Japan looks to AI as coronavirus challenges go-and-see quality control mantraAt a factory south of Japan's Toyota City, robots have started sharing the work of quality-control inspectors, as the pandemic accelerates a shift from Toyota's vaunted 'go and see' system which helped revolutionise mass production in the 20th century.
Read more »
Typhoon Maysak is forecast to strengthen as it moves toward Japan and the Korean PeninsulaTyphoon Maysak is forecast to strengthen as it moves toward Japan and the Korean Peninsula. The system will be dangerously close to Okinawa by early Tuesday and is causing significant air travel disruptions.
Read more »
Kanjani Eight Leads, BTS Bows at No. 7 on Japan Hot 100J-pop boy band KanjaniEight’s “Re:LIVE” debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Japan Hot100. 🏆
Read more »