On August 14, 1945, Japan announced its surrender to the Allied Forces it would come to be known as V-J Day before signing the Japanese Instrument of Surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri on September 2. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender but the anniversary is also in the midst of debate over constitutional revisions with criticism honed in on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Sanrio has seemingly voiced its option, albeit through the mouths of its popular mascots, in the latest issue of the company’s Ichigo Shimbun magazine. The magazine includes an article reflecting on the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender and is titled “Let’s think about what we can do for peace” with a sub-headline reading “No more war!” It calls for readers to research war through popular media and the memories of those who lived during that time.
The article goes on to include first-hand accounts 92 year-old woman and an 87 year-old man before Sanrio‘s mascots share their thoughts.
【サンリオ・いちご新聞8月号】
— えみむめも (@emi_mumemo) July 18, 2015
平和のためにできること、考えよう。 pic.twitter.com/2cQwmMfEqR
Purin: I was born after the war. I learned about war by watching, listening, and studying television, textbooks and books, and my grandma and grandpa who experienced it. If I had to wake up to such things I would cry every day, I think. Since, you couldn’t go outside, you’re hungry, you don’t know when you are going to die, it’s scarier than you could imagine.
My Melody: [discussing ISIS]: Right now this moment, lives are being snatched away. It seems that no matter where you look, people are starting wars.
My Sweet Piano: We must keep our promise not to wage war!
Hello Kitty [discussing conflicts in Afghanistan, Somalia, and the Ukraine]: Even though everyone should want peace, the truth that is that somewhere on Earth, there is a war.
[Via Kotaku]
More from Anime News Network

Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Japanese jeweler launches new engagement and wedding rings with Sanrio character Tuxedo Sam
Son’s “I love you” phone call to mother has the entire class in stitches
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Why is Japan such an unpopular tourist destination?
Chiba man arrested for putting urine-filled tea bottle on convenience store shelf
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese jeweler launches new engagement and wedding rings with Sanrio character Tuxedo Sam
Son’s “I love you” phone call to mother has the entire class in stitches
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Why is Japan such an unpopular tourist destination?
Chiba man arrested for putting urine-filled tea bottle on convenience store shelf
We ate “the alien of Japan’s Ariake Sea,” and you can too, if you’re brave enough【Taste test】
We slide down Osaka’s most famous tower and get free curry for it
It’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Legendary pie cafe Anna Miller’s finally returns to Tokyo after three-year absence
Gacha capsule toy machine sells Casio watch rings in Japan, and we try to get all of them
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]