Special service marks 70th anniversary of VJ Day

But his remarks were an unusual addition to the short and highly ritualized statement that he delivers each year at the memorial ceremony. It was scary. As a young man I didn’t think I would die.

BEIJING, August 15 (Xinhua) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had the opportunity to continue along the same path as his predecessor, Tomiichi Murayama, and apologize for Japan’s past aggression.

Abe’s statement on Friday was clearly carefully crafted, expressing “grief” and “condolences” over the destruction while vowing to “never again resort to any form of threat of use of threat as means of settling global disputes”.

The U.S. statement also emphasized that Washington valued Abe’s assurance of Japan’s intent to expand its contribution to global peace and prosperity. In doing so, he is contending with a Japanese public that has been reluctant to part with its more pacifist identity.

Some Japanese media, including Jiji Press news agency and the Mainichi newspaper, said it was the first time the 81-year-old used those words at an annual memorial on the day Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945. He considered himself very lucky to come back, but we know he did see some bad things.

Moon said the South Korean government should conduct the diplomacy of taking a lead, not being dragged by.

“I feel sad that this is the last service”.

“The Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of the wars of aggression launched by Japanese militarism”. Just two days prior to Abe’s statement, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Japan to reflect on its war history in order to move forward.

China’s foreign ministry voiced its opposition to Saturday’s visits in a statement which said they demonstrated “Japan’s erroneous attitudes toward the historical issues”.

China is South Korea’s largest trade partner. In particular, the issue of so-called comfort women who were forced to work in Japanese wartime military brothels remains a source of tension between Seoul and Tokyo.

Veterans Affairs Minister Michael Ronaldson said Victory in the Pacific Day would be commemorated at events across Australia. One veteran twirled his cane. Thousands cheered them on.

Then there were several readings, with leader of Portsmouth City Council, Councillor Donna Jones starting with a narrative of the day that officially ended the Second World War.

“And for many people in the nation, it was the end of the war”.

“It was they who turned defeat into victory”.

Charles, Mr Cameron and Royal British Legion chairman John Giddings laid wreaths by the Drumhead, while Camilla, dressed in mint green, watched from the royal box.

Guests bowed their heads during the minute’s silence before the final hymn, where the Laira Youth Band played the accompaniment.