Japanese PM Shinzo Abe makes guarded statement on wartime aggression; China and South Korea remain sceptical
PM reaffirms 'heartfelt apology' of past leaders but stops short of mentioning thorniest issues
However, in a highly anticipated speech marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender, the Japanese leader used phrases that many believed he had previously sought to avoid in an apparent attempt to repair ties with China and South Korea.
Abe reaffirmed the "heartfelt apology" offered in the past by his predecessors but he stopped short of directly mentioning the thorniest issues that the two neighbours have been pressing on - the plight of comfort women and the Nanking massacre, prompting scepticism about his sincerity.
"Japan has repeatedly expressed the feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for its actions during the war," Abe said. "In order to manifest such feelings through concrete actions, we have engraved in our hearts the histories of suffering of the people in Asia as our neighbours."