Japan marks 80th anniversary of WWII surrender as concern grows about fading memory

TOKYO (AP) — Japan paid tribute Friday to more than 3 million war dead as the country marked its surrender that ended World War II 80 years ago, as concern grows about the rapidly fading memories of the tragedy of war and the bitter lessons from the era of Japanese militarism.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed “remorse” over the war — the first time a Japanese leader has used the word in a Aug. 15 address since former premier Shinzo Abe shunned it in 2013.

Ishiba called the war a mistake, but did not mention Japan’s aggression across Asia or apologize.

“We will never repeat the tragedy of the war. We will never go the wrong way,” Ishiba said. “Once again, we must deeply keep to our hearts the remorse and lesson from that war.”

https://apnews.com/article/japan-wwii-anniversary-surrender-yasukuni-emperor-89c7c3685e9a29e719356e31c5cc66e5