August 2025 marks 80 years since Japan surrendered in World War II, ending the Pacific War. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we look at how Japan is commemorating the anniversary — from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki memorials to the emperor’s visits, the comfort women issue, and the controversy around Yasukuni Shrine. We also explore how Japan’s relationships with its neighbors are shaped by wartime history, and the questions that still remain about remembrance and responsibility.

📺 Watch the video with presenter Jeff Richards on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/c9DnVw573aM

💬 80 years after the Pacific War ended, how should Japan — and the world — remember that history? Let us know in the comments. 👇