Emperor Akihito released his "New Year Thoughts" on Thursday, issuing a call to learn from history in the year that marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

"I think it is most important for us to take this opportunity to study and learn from the history of this war, starting with the Manchurian Incident of 1931, as we consider the future direction of our country," the 81-year-old Emperor said in the statement released via the Imperial Household Agency.

"This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, which cost many people their lives. Those who died on the battlefields, those who died in the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, those who died in the air raids on Tokyo and other cities — so many people lost their lives in this war," he said.