Japan marked the 67th anniversary of the end of World War Two with a ceremony in Tokyo.
More than 6,000 people attended the event-- including the Emperor, Empress and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.
Earlier, a group of Japanese cabinet members visited the controversial Yasukuni shrine which is dedicated in part to several wartime leaders who were convicted as war criminals.
Many people see the shrine as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.
Prime Minister Noda had asked his cabinet members not to visit the shrine.... those who did said they were there as private citizens.
