Japan on Friday is marking the surrender announcement by then-Emperor Hirohito 80 years ago at the end of World War II.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed “remorse” over the war in an Aug. 15 address. The regretful behavior reflects a change in perception of Japan’s actions during World War II, as former premier Shinzo Abe shunned the topic in 2013.

The King and Queen have led a two minute silence to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, the date in 1945 when Japan surrendered, bringing the Second World War to an end.

Japan paid tribute Friday to nearly 3 million war dead as the country marked its surrender that ended World War II 80 years ago, as concern grows about the rapidly fading memories of the tragedy of war and the bitter lessons from the era of Japanese militarism.

South Korea, which suffered under Japanese occupation, wants Japan to be more open about the past. Inside Japan, what were once far-right fringe voices have grown more prominent in recent years by insisting on a narrative denying or minimizing the brutality of Imperial Japan during World War II.