Japan premier makes no-war pledge at 62nd war memorial in Tokyo

Aug 15, 2007, 4:39 GMT

Tokyo - Nearly 5,000 people gathered at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan Hall Wednesday to mourn some 3.1 million war dead and to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the end of World War II.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed never to engage in war but contribute to world peace at the first such ceremony he attended as a prime minister since taking office in September.

'We firmly maintain the no-war pledge and actively contribute to the establishment of ever-lasting peace in the world,' Abe said.

Abe also referred to Japan's responsibility in its wartime aggression against Asian nations.

'Our country inflicted considerable damage and pain on people in countries in Asia in the war,' he said.

Following Abe's address, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko delivered the annual tribute speech.

Abe and his cabinet ministers refrained from visiting the Yasukuni Shrine amid the criticism over the coalition government's crushing defeat in the July 29 upper house election.

Former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who visited the shrine early Wednesday in formal tailcoat, drew strong protest from China and South Korea for going to the shrine every year during his five-year premiership.

But Abe has not done so since September and kept vague about his plans.

The Tokyo shrine honours 2.8 million war dead including war criminals.