LEGACY: Japan Surrenders and WWII Ends
On 15 August 1945, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s surrender over the radio. The formal surrender was signed on 2 September 1945, and both dates are known as V-J Day - the official end of WWII. Yamamoto's vision had come to fruition.
"Nobody was happy then and after the war, we lost countless of people, young and old, many families lost their husbands, brothers, children, etc."
"Not only the front line, we lost almost everything at home, people lost their houses to live, there were not enough food, medicines to cure diseases, etc."
"There were burned fields in many places. It is very hard to say 'Yes' or 'No' against one single incident, we also have to take into deliberate consideration other social background and conditions" (Shin).
- Naomi Shin, daughter of Zenji Abe