15日は終戦から81年の日でした。政府主催の全国戦没者追悼式典が東京の日本武道館で開かれました。天皇・皇后両陛下や高市早苗首相、戦没者の遺族ら約4180人が参列しました。
August 15 marked 81 years since the end of the war. The government-sponsored National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead was held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and about 4,180 people including bereaved families attended.
先の大戦で亡くなった約310万人の方々を悼み、正午の時報に合わせて1分間の黙とうがささげられました。天皇陛下はおことばで「過去を顧み、深い反省の上に立って、戦争の惨禍が繰り返されないことを切に願う」と述べられました。また、戦中・戦後の苦難を今後とも語り継ぎ、平和と人々の幸せを求めることを心から願うと話されました。
Participants mourned the approximately 3.1 million people who died in the last war and observed a one-minute silence at noon. In his address the Emperor said: “Looking back on the past and standing on deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated.” He also expressed his sincere wish that the hardships of the war and postwar years continue to be passed down, and that everyone seek peace and the happiness of the people.
高市首相は式辞で「戦争の惨禍を二度と繰り返させない。歳月がいかに流れても、この決然たる誓いを世代を超えて継承し貫く」と述べました。また、日本が国際社会で重要な役割を果たせるとして、「希望を持てる日本を、安全で安心して暮らせる社会を創り上げる」と強調しました。
In her address Prime Minister Takaichi said: “We will never allow the horrors of war to be repeated. No matter how many years pass, we will pass this resolute pledge down through the generations and uphold it.” She also stressed that Japan can play an important role in the international community and will build a Japan full of hope and a society where people can live safely and with peace of mind.
厚生労働省によると、参列した遺族のうち戦後生まれの割合は56.3％と過去最多となりました。遺族の高齢化が進む中、若い世代への記憶の継承がますます大切になっています。全国各地でも平和を祈る式典や集いが開かれました。
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 56.3% of the bereaved family members who attended were born after the war – the highest proportion on record. As the bereaved families age, passing memories on to younger generations is becoming ever more important. Ceremonies and gatherings to pray for peace were also held across the country.