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Koizumi expresses his remorse over WWII atrocities

Japan remembered the end of World War II with official ceremonies that proclaimed the nation's commitment to peace, even as prominent lawmakers lined up to pay their respects at a shrine criticized as glorifying militarism.

At a memorial service for the more than 3 million Japanese who died in the war, which ended with Japan's surrender 58 years ago yesterday, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi voiced regret for the destruction inflicted by his country and vowed to uphold the tenets of pacifism in its postwar Constitution.

"During the war, Japan caused tremendous damage and suffering for the people of many countries, particularly Asian nations," Koizumi said. "On behalf of the people of Japan, I again express my profound remorse and sincerely mourn the victims."

The popular Japanese leader used virtually identical language in past speeches at the service, an event that brings together several thousand relatives of the war dead. Along with ceremonies to mark the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the service spotlights Japan's collective memory of eight years of total war that began for this nation in 1937 with a campaign to subjugate China and ended in 1945 with Japanese cities in rubble.

While telling his audience of mostly elderly Japanese, some in funeral black, that today's peaceful and prosperous Japan had been founded on the "ultimate sacrifice" made by those who lost their lives in the war, Koizumi promised that future generations would never again take up arms.

"Humbly reflecting on the past, I will uphold this nation's anti-war pledge and will make every effort to develop friendly relations with our neighbors," he said.

Koizumi was followed onto the chrysanthemum-decked stage at Budokan arena by Emperor Akihito, who delivered his own message of peace and reconciliation.

But every year that message competes for the world's attention with the sight of conservative lawmakers filing into a nearby Shinto shrine that honors Japan's fallen soldiers -- including convicted war criminals. The 124-year-old shrine also fans controversy because it was used during the war as a nationalist rallying point.

Prominent visitors to Yasukuni Shrine yesterday morning included several members of Koizumi's Cabinet. Ordinary worshippers also passed through its towering main gate.

"We cannot forget the price paid by the wartime generation. I'm hear to show my gratitude," 23-year-old medical student Hiroshi Matsuoka said.

Among Koizumi's top advisers to pay tribute were trade minister Takeo Hiranuma, disaster relief minister Yoshitada Konoike, public safety agency chief Sadakazu Tanigaki and agricultural minister Yoshiyuki Kamei, according to media reports.
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