Shigeru Ishiba, the Prime Minister of Japan, mentioned 'reflection' for the first time in 13 years during a national memorial service held on the 15th to mark Japan's 'end of war day.' However, he did not use words that reflect on the colonial rule imposed by neighboring countries, such as 'invasion' and 'offense.'
On this day, Prime Minister Ishiba stated in his speech at the memorial service held at the Tokyo Budokan, 'Eighty years have passed since the last war. Now, the majority are from a generation that does not know war,' and said, 'We must engrave deeply in our hearts the reflection and lessons of that war, pledging to never repeat the horrors of war and to ensure we do not go astray again.'
He continued, 'For the past 80 years, our country (Japan) has consistently walked as a peaceful nation, striving for world peace and prosperity,' and added, 'No matter how much time passes, we will inherit the sorrowful memories of war and the firm determination not to go to war across generations, and we will continue to take action toward lasting peace.'
In the past, Japanese Prime Ministers have acknowledged the damage suffered by neighboring countries on the end of war day and expressed their reflections. However, after Shinzo Abe regained power in December 2012, this practice was halted. Yoshihide Suga, who took office after former Prime Minister Abe resigned, and former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also did not use the expression 'reflection' in their memorial address for the war dead, as did former Prime Minister Abe.
However, the Emperor has mentioned 'reflection.' Emperor Naruhito used the same phrase as last year during the memorial service on this day, stating, 'Looking back on the past, I sincerely wish not to repeat the horrors of war while standing on a foundation of deep reflection.'