Tomorrow, August 15, is the Day to Commemorate  the War Dead and Pray for Peace.

The Government of Japan will hold the National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead at the Nippon Budokan, in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, with representatives of the bereaved families and other representatives from across society also in attendance, to honor the approximately 3.1 million people who lost their lives in the war.

This ceremony is held by the Government of Japan, so as to reflect that the peace and prosperity that Japan enjoys today are founded on the ultimate sacrifices of those who lost their lives against their will in the war, thinking about their homeland and worrying about their families. The ceremony is intended for all the people of Japan to deeply offer their heartfelt prayers to the war dead and to renew our pledge to achieve everlasting peace.

Tomorrow at noon, in tune with the ceremony, I sincerely hope that each and every Japanese - be they at home, or at work or in other places - will join me in offering a moment of silence to commemorate the war dead.