Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, at the 'National War Dead Memorial Ceremony,' once again used last year's expression of not repeating war without mentioning Japan's past aggression against Asian countries or expressing remorse.
At the memorial ceremony held on the 15th, the day of Japan's defeat, at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Prime Minister Kishida stated, "We will not repeat the horrors of war," and added, "We will pass down and carry out this resolute pledge across generations."
He continued, "In a world where tragic conflicts still persist, our country (Japan) will promote the maintenance and strengthening of a free and open international order based on the rule of law," and also said, "Since the postwar period, our country has consistently acted as a peace nation, deeply engraving the lessons of history in our hearts and striving for world peace and prosperity."
Thus, Prime Minister Kishida will end his tenure without mentioning Japan's acts of aggression or remorse during the three years he has attended this event since taking office in October 2021.
Having also refrained from mentioning Japan's acts of aggression or remorse in 2022 and 2023, Kishida has decided not to run in next month's upcoming Liberal Democratic Party leadership election, making this year's memorial ceremony his last event as prime minister.
Past Japanese prime ministers mentioned the suffering experienced by neighboring countries on the day of defeat and expressed remorse, but this practice ceased after Shinzo Abe's return to power in December 2012.
Former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa was the first to mention the damage caused to other countries by Japan's aggressive war on the day of defeat in 1993.
At the war dead memorial ceremony, Hosokawa said at the time, "I express my sincere condolences beyond borders to all war victims and their families worldwide, including many close Asian countries."
In 1994, then-Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama said, "We caused indescribable suffering to many people in Asia and around the world," and added, "With deep remorse, I would like to express my sincere condolences."
However, starting with the first defeat day after former Prime Minister Abe's return to power on August 15, 2013, expressions of Japan's aggression and remorse disappeared.
On the other hand, Emperor Naruhito mentioned "remorse" at the ceremony this year as well, saying, "Reflecting on the past, standing on deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the horrors of war will never be repeated."
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