Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi pledged that Japan will never again isolate itself from the world but will seek only amity with its neighbors, during a secular ceremony Wednesday marking the 56th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender.
"In the war, our country caused tremendous damage and pain to people in many countries, particularly those in Asian nations," Koizumi said in a speech at the government-sponsored ceremony marking the anniversary.
"Representing the people of Japan, I once again express deep remorse and offer sincere condolences to the victims," he said. Koizumi thus became the first prime minister to declare during an annual Aug. 15 war memorial service that Japan was responsible for the last war.