A memorial ceremony has been held at a cemetery near Manila to mourn the people who died in the Philippines during World War Two. About half a million Japanese and 1 million Filipinos are estimated to have died there.

The Japanese Embassy organized the annual event on Monday, the day when Japan marks the end of the war. About 180 people, including Japanese expatriates in the country, attended. They observed a moment of silence before a monument and offered flowers.

The now defunct Japanese Imperial Army considered the Philippines as the frontline of defense for Japan in the final stage of the war. Japanese and US troops engaged in fierce ground battles. Local residents were caught in the crossfire.

One of the participants of the ceremony, Murakami Haruko, lost her father in the war. The 90-year-old said it is regrettable that many bereaved families were unable to come from Japan because of the coronavirus pandemic. She also said Japan and the Philippines need to maintain friendly relations.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said Japan has won trust from the Philippines by keeping its promise to never again go to war. He added that Japan must continue to do so.