Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Tuesday moved to contain potential political damage after saying Monday that Japan is a "divine nation centering on the Emperor," a sentiment some compared to the nationalist fervor stoked before and during World War II.
With the atmosphere in the Diet sensitive to any political missteps that might be made before the general elections expected next month, Mori and Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki agreed Tuesday that the prime minister should express "regret" as early as today that the remarks left room for misunderstandings.
Speaking before a gathering of lawmakers belonging to Shinto Seiji Renmei, a political group of the Association of Shinto Shrines, the prime minister said Monday that "We (have made efforts to) make the public realize that Japan is a divine nation centering on the Emperor. It's been 30 years since we started our activities based on this thought."