Fukuda calls on Japanese to pray for war dead

Japan Policy & Politics, August 19, 2002

TOKYO, Aug. 14 Kyodo

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday called on Japanese to pray for those who died in Japan's wars from 1937 to 1945 on Thursday, the 57th anniversary of Tokyo's surrender to Allied forces.

''I call on each one of the citizens of this country to offer a moment of silence at noon tomorrow,'' Fukuda said in a statement.

The government's chief spokesman said a state ceremony to be held the same day at Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward will be an occasion to remember the more than 3 million people on the Japanese side who died in the Sino-Japanese War and World War II.

Fukuda attributed Japan's current state to their sacrifices.

''Behind the peace and prosperity our country enjoys today lie the ultimate sacrifices of those who died in war,'' Fukuda said. ''All Japanese are expected to pay their tribute and renew their pledge to establish eternal peace.''

The state ceremony, which was first held in 1963, is dedicated to the 3.1 million, consisting of about 2.3 million soldiers, including people from Korea and Taiwan who fought for Japan, and some 800,000 civilians.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are expected to attend the ceremony along with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other government leaders and dignitaries.