Japan PM says he will express 'remorse' over WW2

Japan's prime minister said Thursday he would express "remorse" over World War II in a closely watched statement this month, but his comments left questions about whether he would repeat previous apologies.

US Will Not Apologize for Japan Nuclear Bombings Within Veterans' Lifetime

On August 6, 1945, a US B-29 bomber named Enola Gay dropped a nuclear bomb that killed about 140,000 people in Hiroshima. A second bombing followed three days later, this time on the city of Nagasaki, killing 70,000 people.

Hiroshima residents protest against Abe over collective defense

HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- About 1,000 Hiroshima residents on Wednesday protested against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe over collective self-defense right near the city's Peace Memorial Park, where a ceremony was held to commemorate the 69th anniversary of U.S. atomic bombing on Hiroshima in 1945.

Abe attended the ceremony and made an address before about 45, 000 participants, including survivors of the attack, their descendants, peace activists and officials such as U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, saying Japan will uphold the three non- nuclear principles.

Hiroshima commemorates 69th anniversary of atomic bombing.

Hiroshima, the city that suffered US atomic bombing in 1945 during the World War II, commemorated the 69th anniversary of the bombing on Wednesday at the city's Peace Memorial Park.
Addressing before survivors of the attack, their descendants, peace activists and officials, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui called nuclear weapons as an " absolute evil" that robbed children of loving families and dreams for the future.
"To eliminate the evil, we must transcend nationality, race, religion, and other differences, value person-to-person relationships, and build a world that allows forward-looking dialogue," the mayor said.

Kennedy to attend Hiroshima ceremony with reps of nearly 70 nations. (China will not be represented)

The city of Hiroshima said Monday U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy will attend the annual Aug. 6 ceremony commemorating the 1945 U.S. atomic bombing of the city.

Representatives from 68 nations including Britain, France and Russia as well as the European Union are scheduled to attend the ceremony, which will be held at the city's Peace Memorial Park on Wednesday. China will not be represented.