Prime Minister of Japan Nato Kan recently repeated earlier apologies for the aggressive actions of Japan in the course of WWII on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of Japan's surrender to the Allies.
The China Daily reported, "Japan's new liberal prime minister shunned a visit to the shinto shrine that has outraged Asian neighbors for honoring war criminals, breaking from past governments' tradition and instead apologizing for the suffering World War II caused. The Shinto shrine - a spectacular building with sweeping roofs and a museum in its grounds that glorifies kamikaze pilots - has set off controversy by honoring the 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including Class A war criminals such as Hideki Tojo, Japan's war-time prime minister who was executed in 1948."
Previously Kan apologized to South Korea for 35 years of colonial rule, and subsequently he expanded his apology to all those who suffered from the aggression of Japan, including forcing Koreans to fight as front-line soldiers, work as slave laborers and serve as military prostitutes.
"In the course of the war, our country caused grave damage and great pain to people in countries in Asia," Kan said on the 15th of August, 2010. "We feel deep regret, and we convey our sincere condolences to those who suffered and their families. We renew our pledge never to go to war again, and we promise to do our best to achieve eternal world peace."
Sources:
Huan, Marco (August 25 2010). Japanese Prime Minister apologizes for war crimes in WWII. Epoch Times, Israel Edition (Hebrew), August 19-25, 2010.
China Daily (August 15, 2010). Japanese Prime Minister apologizes on anniversary of World War II.
