Japanese Emperor Expresses ‘Deep Remorse’ for Tokyo’s Actions in WWII

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, however, those that had waited with bated breath for Abe’s statement on Friday, a day before the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in WWII, would have had to listen very closely to hear any real remorse.

In his 25-minute address, Abe acknowledged the “immeasurable damage and suffering” that his country had done during World War II, but added that future generations of Japanese should not keep on apologizing.

Japan marked 70 years on Saturday since the end of World War Two but faced criticism from South Korea and China, which accused it of failing to properly atone for its actions during the war.

China’s foreign ministry on Saturday voiced “strong dissatisfaction” over a visit by a trio of Japanese cabinet ministers to Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni shrine.

His words contrasted with those of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who said in a statement Friday that Japan shouldn’t be expected to continually apologize for a conflict that ended 70 years ago.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said the Japanese premier’s remarks “left much to be desired”.

The ministry also “sternly” pointed out that Japan will be able to win the trust of its neighboring nations and the global community only when Japan’s leadership demonstrates honest reflection and remorse for the country’s wartime past.

China and South Korea had insisted that Abe delivers a new apology for Japan’s crimes during World War II.

Japanese emperor Akihito has for the first time expressed “deep remorse” over Japan’s role in World War Two. Taking the hammer out of their hands requires that Japan grasp the nettle of history and embrace a forthright reckoning, assume unequivocal responsibility, and express an unambiguous and emphatic apology.

Instead, as if talking to the spirits of the war dead, Abe thanked them for the sacrifice on which he said Japan’s peace and prosperity are built.

Washington’s view, however, is likely to only complicate an already complex pair of alliances with Seoul and Tokyo – Park has so far refused to hold a bilateral summit with Abe, but they have met in the presence of U.S. President Barack Obama.

Beijing called Abe’s statement a non-apology while North Korea derided it as an “unpardonable mockery of the Korean people“.

However, those countries which suffered from Japan’s aggression would never forget that dark period of history, as Japanese would always remember the horrific scenes of A-bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Mr Abe appeared to make an oblique reference to these women – forced to work as sex slaves – when he said women “behind the battlefields whose honour and dignity were severely injured”.

Japan’s wartime atrocities remains a thorny issue in the relationship between Tokyo and her neighbors.

Japan’s wartime history came under a renewed focus after Mr Abe swept into power in late 2012, his second stint as prime minister.