Japan's PM mentions wartime ‘regret’ for first time in 13 years

Japanese Prime Minister used the term "regret" in a memorial speech for the war dead for the first time in 13 years.

Addressing the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War two defeat on Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized that Japan "must engrave in its hearts the regrets and lessons of that war."

The practice of mentioning neighboring countries' suffering and expressing remorse on War Memorial Day had largely ceased following former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's return to power in 2012.

However, Ishiba did not directly name neighboring countries that were subjected to colonial rule as a result of Japan's aggression in the war.