Ahead of the 75th anniversary in 2020, Sir David Amess MP has called on the Government to officially mark Victory over Japan Day (V-J) with a day of national commemoration. 

Speaking in Parliament on Thursday 27th June, Sir David asked the Commons Leader Mel Stride to 'find time for a debate on the commemorations to mark Victory over Japan Day, so that we can record the terrible atrocities suffered by Allied prisoners in the Japanese war camps?' 

The Leader of the House replied 'The My hon. Friend is right to raise the issue of VJ Day. We tend to think about the victory in Europe, but of course the war continued beyond that point and, as he has stated, many awful atrocities took place that were particularly associated with the Asian element of the second world war. The Royal British Legion and the Government will be working together to ensure that the 75th anniversary of VJ Day on 15 August 2020 will be commemorated in the appropriate way.' 

The call follows growing support for a petition set up by the charity Children and Families of Far East Prisoners of War to bring in a national day commemorating the events 15th August 1945. For thousands of Allied soldiers and prisoners of war in the Far East, the conflict continued long after the celebrations for Victory in Europe Day. Described as the 'Forgotten Army', veterans and their families are campaigning to ensure that VJ Day will get the same official recognition as VE Day for the 75th anniversary celebrations next year.

Further details on the petition can be found at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/236760