A massive military parade is held in Beijing on September 3, 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The armament formation is being reviewed at the event. Photo: Xinhua

Japan closely watched China's V-Day military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on Wednesday. The responses show a complex mentality, with some expressing awe at the spectacle, others showing wariness, according to media reports and social media posts. 

"We are closely watching related moves with interest," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, was quoted by Mainichi Shimbun as saying on Wednesday. 

After China's V-Day parade, Hayashi claimed that China has become more assertive in the East and South China seas, adding. "Any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force is absolutely unacceptable," he asserted, according to Mainichi Shimbun.

Notably, Hayashi also reportedly claimed that Japan intends to "comprehensively advance a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship" with China so that its stable development will help "foster a constructive and stable partnership through the efforts of both sides."

"Japan is wary of how China's massive military parade in Beijing could affect bilateral relations… as Russian and North Korean leaders attended the event amid fragile regional security," Kyodo News claimed, also citing the Japanese government spokesperson. 

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama observed the parade in his personal capacity, according to Japanese media reports. 

Several Japanese media outlets including Kyodo News and NHK focused on the attendance of the Chinese, Russian and North Korean leaders at the military parade.

Many Japanese netizens flocked to online coverage of China's V-Day military parade. ANN News broadcast a livestreaming of China's military parade on Wednesday with nearly 90,000 views as of press time. Many also watched the military parade on X and YouTube on Wednesday, with some expressing awe and reflecting on the history after watching the event. 

"The military parade on September 3 is a milestone that reminds us of the painful history that the people of Asia have walked. For Japan to truly be accepted and trusted in this region and the world, it is essential that we squarely face our history of past aggression and aggression, acknowledge the facts, and continue to cherish the memories of the victims. Reflection is not self-deprecating, but a promise never to repeat mistakes, and a sign of courtesy toward the future. I believe that honesty toward history is the first step toward coexistence," a netizen wrote in Japanese on YouTube.

Another netizen with a Japanese name commented in Japanese on a YouTube video featuring the military parade that the military equipment featured had become even more advanced and so cool. Additionally, one comment in Japanese read, "The military parade is so spectacular!"

"At any time and under any circumstances, images of close friendships always bring us a sense of peace and warmth," read a Japanese comment under a X post on Wednesday by Reuters Japan, which included a video showing the leaders of China, North Korea and Russia gather together as China's V-Day military parade began.

After 14 years of resistance and immense sacrifice, China defeated Japanese aggressors in 1945. On September 2, Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender, and September 3 is remembered as China's Victory Day, according to Xinhua. 

However, some in Japan continued to deny the atrocities committed by Japanese aggressors in China during World War II. Before China's V-Day commemorations on Wednesday, Japan reportedly even asked other countries to refrain from attending the event.

Japanese media outlet Kyodo News claimed on August 24 that the Japanese government asked European and Asian countries through diplomatic channels not to attend the September 3 commemorative activities and military parade in Beijing, citing "multiple diplomatic sources."

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on August 26 that China has lodged protests with Japan, asking for clarification regarding reported negative remarks and moves made by the Japanese side concerning the September 3 commemorative activities and military parade in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan should face squarely and reflect on its history of aggression with sincerity, Guo said. 

More than 20 foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, attended China's V-Day commemorations on Wednesday. Representatives of people who had supported China's resistance endeavors, or their family members - from countries such as Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada - were invited to the event, according to Xinhua.