Britain applauded the statement, while Australian leader Tony Abbott said Abe’s remarks “should make it easier for other countries to accept Japan’s commitment to a better future for all”.
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The soft-spoken emperor, whose father announced Japan’s surrender 70 years ago, urged Japan not to forget the suffering of the war and to promote reconciliation with Asian countries.
The brief remarks made at the ceremony in Tokyo were almost identical to those in previous years with the exception of “deep remorse”, a phrase he hadn’t used previously, Japanese media reported.
This comes after Koichi Hagiuda, an aid for Japan’s Prime Minister, sent spiritual offerings on behalf of Shinzo Abe to the controversial shrine.
At the memorial service in Tokyo on Saturday, Mr Abe and Emperor Akihito observed a minute’s silence. “I express my feelings of profound grief and my eternal, honest condolences”.
Abe, who has said he wants to fix ties with China and South Korea and could visit Beijing as soon as next month, was not expected to visit Yasukuni himself today.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye said Mr. Abe’s comments “left much to be desired”, but she said it was positive he reiterated that past government apologies will stand.
“The wars of aggression launched by Japanese militarism inflicted untold sufferings on the people of China and other victim countries in Asia….”
But he said Japan took the wrong course in going to war and that, across generations, Japanese must squarely face that past.
In a widely anticipated statement marking the 70th anniversary of his country’s surrender, he said instead that Japan’s repeated past “heartfelt apologies” would remain firm in the future.
“We support Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s advocacy of “proactive contribution to peace” based on the primacy of the values of freedom, democracy and human rights, upon which the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan is founded”, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said in a statement.
At the Yasukuni shrine, where Japan commemorates its war dead, thousands of people have been coming to pray.
Akihito, a largely symbolic figurehead, has never visited the shrine.
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.
Analysts said Koreans will also certainly be angry that there was no word of Japan’s rule over their country during the first half of the 20th century.
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China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying revealed on Saturday that Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui has reached out to the Japanese Ambassador Masato Kitera to voice “China’s solemn position” on Abe’s speech and the need for Japan to stand up to her past deeds.
