Japan marked the 80th anniversary of its World War II surrender on 15 August with a government-hosted National Memorial Ceremony at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan. Emperor Naruhito expressed “deep remorse” and, for the first time, urged that the war’s hardships be “passed down” to future generations. Roughly half the bereaved families attending were post-war born, underscoring concerns about fading memories. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba became the first Japanese leader since 2012 to use the word “remorse” in his address, pledging that the nation would never again follow the path to war. He stopped short of explicitly acknowledging Japan’s wartime aggression, a choice that drew criticism from some Asian media outlets and conservative groups at home. Ishiba also refrained from issuing a separate Cabinet-approved statement on the anniversary, saying he is still weighing a personal message. Commemorations were overshadowed by Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors the war dead including convicted Class-A war criminals. Ishiba sent a ritual offering but did not visit the shrine himself. China’s embassy in Tokyo urged Japan to “face squarely” its history, while regional commentators warned the move could strain relations with neighboring countries. Within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, Ishiba’s handling of historical issues and recent electoral setbacks have intensified calls for a leadership review. Party officials began canvassing lawmakers this week on whether to advance a snap presidential race—an unprecedented step that could open the door to potential challengers.