Japan’s Emperor Naruhito expresses ‘deep remorse’ over WWII while PM Shinzo Abe vows ‘never to repeat the tragedy’

The two leaders were speaking at an official ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of Japan’s surrender

Abe also sent an offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honours 14 Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals

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Japan PM Shinzo Abe pledged last year ‘never again to repeat the devastation of war’. Photo: DPA

Published: 9:11am, 15 Aug 2020Updated: 8:32pm, 15 Aug 2020

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, speaking on the 75th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender, pledged never to repeat the tragedy of war and Emperor Naruhito expressed “deep remorse” over the wartime past, which still haunts East Asia.

“We will continue to remain committed to this resolute pledge,” said Abe, wearing a face mask at an official ceremony for war dead on Saturday that was scaled back because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Naruhito, the grandson of Hirohito in whose name Imperial troops fought the war, is Japan’s first monarch born after the war. He ascended the throne last year after his father, Akihito, abdicated.

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend the memorial service marking the 75th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. Photo: AP

“I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated,” Naruhito said at the ceremony.

Abe, who did not echo Naruhito’s reference to remorse, sent a ritual offering to Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine but avoided a personal visit that would anger China and South Korea.

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