Japan will make clear there has been no change in its stance on history and diplomacy, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Friday, after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's abrupt visit to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine the previous day drew rebukes from other parts of Asia and miffed the U.S.

"As the prime minister said, the visit was aimed at making a pledge not to wage war again, with a determination to build an era free of the suffering caused by the devastation of war," Suga said at a press conference, adding that the Abe administration will maintain the nation's stance on history and diplomacy. He didn't elaborate on Tokyo's stance, however.

"The prime minister will explain it to other countries concerned in a sincere and polite manner," he said.