Facing criticism and questions both at home and abroad numerous times in recent weeks, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga tried Friday to clarify, albeit indirectly, the government position that Japan waged wars of aggression in the 1930s and 1940s.

In expressing official views, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Suga had rigidly avoided the term "aggression," raising concerns they may be trying to water down the official government position regarding the wars Japan waged in Asia.

But during a news conference Friday, Suga admitted Abe's Cabinet "has inherited the position of past Cabinets," including the admission that Japan waged wars of aggression.