Japan is actively contributing to world peace and stability based on the pledge of never waging war that grew out of "deep remorse" over World War II, according to the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic policy report for 2015, which was released Tuesday.

"Japan has consistently followed the path of a peaceful country in the international community . . . based on its deep remorse over the last war," the annual report known as the Diplomatic Bluebook notes at the beginning of the first chapter, titled "International affairs and development of Japanese diplomacy; taking 70 years of footsteps to the future."

The document describes South Korea as "the most important neighboring country" and stresses that good relations with Seoul are critical to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.