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Japanese PM Expresses Remorse for Japan's Wartime Acts in Asia
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori Tuesday expressed "deep remorse" for the cruelty perpetrated by Japan in Asia during World War II and extended condolences to the war victims in neighboring countries.
"The war caused tremendous pain and sorrow not only to our country, but also to people in many other countries, particularly to those in neighboring countries. We would like to sincerely express our deep regret and condolences to them," Mori said at a ceremony marking the 55th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.
Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, about 6,000 relatives of Japanese war dead, and about 1,000 government officials and politicians attended the government-sponsored ceremony in Tokyo's Nippon Budokan Hall.
Mori's speech marked the eighth straight year in which Japan's prime ministers have expressed remorse to Asia's war victims in their speeches at the annual event.
Mori also stressed the importance of establishing lasting peace.
"We must humbly look back on the past and urge our succeeding generations not to get involved in war, but to establish lasting peace by informing them about the cruelty of war," Mori said.
"I'm convinced that fulfilling this responsibility is the only way to compensate for the past and ease the pain of the victims' souls," he added.
Participants at the ceremony offered a silent prayer at noon for souls of 3.1 million Japanese who perished in the war.
In a brief memorial address after the prayer, Emperor Akihito offered condolences to the war victims and voiced hope for world peace.
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