TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito began a weeklong visit to Mongolia on Sunday during which he plans to honor thousands of Japanese prisoners of World War II who were held under harsh conditions in the country.
Naruhito’s visit marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. In recent years, he has toured some of the places where the bloodiest battles and bombings occurred, including Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Hiroshima. The emperor has said it’s part of his effort at atonement and remembrance of the tragedy of war fought in the name of his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito.
While the vast majority of Japanese soldiers were taken to Siberia, around 12,000 to 14,000 ended up in Mongolia, which was fighting alongside the Soviets against Japan.
Most of the POWs were put to hard labor and construction work for the Mongolian government’s headquarters, a state university and a theater that are still preserved in the capital Ulaanbaatar. The prisoners toiled under harsh conditions and scarce food. Japanese records show about 1,700 of them died in Mongolia.
“As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war this year, we should never forget the pain and sorrow of the people,” Naruhito said last week. “I believe it is important to not forget those who died, deepen understanding of the wartime past and to nurture the peace-loving heart.”
Naruhito and Masako were scheduled to meet Mongolia’s President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and his wife. The couple will also attend the opening ceremony of Naadam, Mongolia’s annual festival that focuses on three traditional games of horseracing, wrestling and archery.
Naruhito had previously visited Mongolia as crown prince in 2007.
Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this report.
Japanese Emperor Naruhito, left and Empress Masako arrive at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Sunday, July 6, 2025. (MONTSAME News Agency via AP)
Japanese Emperor Naruhito, left, and Empress Masako, walk with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg, right, after arriving at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on Sunday, July 6, 2025. (MONTSAME News Agency via AP)
SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — Persistent heavy rain fell at Silverstone on Sunday morning ahead of the British Grand Prix as reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen prepared to start on pole position, with title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris close behind.
If the rain continues, it will mix up teams’ strategies for the race. Saturday’s qualifying and all three practice sessions were run in dry conditions.
Red Bull’s Verstappen had struggled in practice but found extra pace in qualifying to take pole ahead of McLaren’s Piastri and Norris, who both made small but costly mistakes.
It could be a hectic fight for the win with Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari all showing strong pace in qualifying, with the top six cars covered by just 0.229 of a second.
The leading contenders are using contrasting setups which mean different strengths and weaknesses at various points on the track. Verstappen’s car in particular sacrifices grip through the corners for top speed on the straights.
Piastri leads the standings by 15 points from Norris, the winner of last week’s Austrian Grand Prix, with Verstappen a distant third, 61 points off the lead.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Visitors in the paddock stand under umbrellas during a shower at the Silverstone racetrack ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix, in Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 6, 2025.(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the qualifying session at the Silverstone racetrack, ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix, in Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands celebrates his pole position after the qualifying session at the Silverstone racetrack, ahead of the British Formula One Grand Prix, in Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands reacts after taking the pole position during the qualifying for the British Formula One Grand Prix in Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
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