BBC marks 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day

Seventy years ago, the 'Far East Campaign' ended, finally bringing the Second World War to its conclusion. To mark the historic anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day 70) the BBC announces it will be broadcasting a range of coverage across TV, radio and online this August, with BBC One providing live coverage of the commemorations.

Claire Popplewell, editor, ceremonial events for the BBC, says: “I am proud to provide the coverage of this very important World War Two anniversary. It is incredibly important to make sure that those who fought so bravely to secure victory over Japan seventy years ago are honoured and remembered.”

In VJ Day 70: The Nation Remembers, Saturday 15 August on BBC One, Kirsty Young introduces live coverage of the 70th anniversary commemorations. Commentary of these events will be provided by James Naughtie, with Dan Snow speaking to the veterans and their families.

The broadcast begins at 10.30am when The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh together with members of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister, veterans, former prisoners of war and civilian internees attend a service at St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, organised by National FEPOW (Far East Prisoners of War) Fellowship Welfare Remembrance Association. The service will be live on BBC One from 10.30am to 12.15pm.

We return at 1pm with a special commemorative event on Horse Guards Parade hosted by Her Majesty’s Government and The Royal British Legion. It will begin with a flypast followed by a traditional Drumhead Service and wreath-laying ceremony. Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will join veterans and their families and current members of the Armed Forces at this event.

Following these commemorations, veterans, civilian internees, their descendants and families along with current personnel will march down Whitehall and through Parliament Square to Westminster Abbey – passing the statue of Field Marshal Slim and The Cenotaph – in a special anniversary parade.

VJ Day 70: The Nation Remembers, Saturday 15 August on BBC One, 10:30 to 12:15pm and 13:00 to 15:30pm. Highlights will be shown on BBC Two on Sunday 16 August at 5.30pm. Presented by Kirsty Young, with James Naughtie and Dan Snow. It has been commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One and is executive produced by Claire Popplewell from the BBC.