Japanese PM Shinzo Abe reaffirms apologies over ‘immeasurable war damage’

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe says Japan inflicted “immeasurable damage and suffering” during World War II and he reaffirmed previous official apologies for his country’s role in the conflict.

“Japan has repeatedly expressed the feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for its actions during the war,” he said in a statement on the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat.

“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,” he said.