Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 15, 2003
Koizumi Marks Japan's Role for World Peace
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday expressed his resolve to do his part in establishing world peace, while expressing remorse for Japan's wartime aggression.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday expressed his resolve to do his part in establishing world peace, while expressing remorse for Japan's wartime aggression.
"I will make my utmost effort for Japan to actively contribute, as a member of the international community, to establishing a permanent peace in the world," Koizumi said at a memorial ceremony marking the 58th anniversary of the end of World War II.
According to Kyodo News, Koizumi was apparently alluding to recent legislation authorizing the Self-Defense Forces dispatch to Iraq and his initiative to set up a permanent law to allow such dispatches.
"I maintain firmly the pledge not to launch a war again, looking humbly back on the past," Koizumi added.
House of Councilors President Hiroyuki Kurata also expressed his peace-keeping resolve by saying "I firmly swear to pour all my strength to make the world a peaceful and hopeful place."