Japan's prime minister expressed deep regret over the suffering his country inflicted on Asian countries during World War II in a solemn ceremony Saturday that marked the 64th anniversary of Tokyo's surrender.
Prime Minister Taro Aso joined some 4,800 bereaved families to pay respect to 3.1 million Japanese war dead _ 2.3 million soldiers and 800,000 civilians _ at the Nihon Budokan hall in Tokyo. Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko also attended the ceremony, leading a one-minute silence at noon.
Emperor Akihito _ whose father Hirohito announced Japan's surrender in a radio broadcast on Aug. 15, 1945 _ said he hoped Japan would never again wage a war. "I mourn for those who died in the war and pray for world peace and further development of Japan", the 75-year-old emperor said in a speech.
Before the ceremony, Aso laid flowers at the secular Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery, where the remains of victims of World War II are laid to rest. GPD © AP
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