MANILA, Philippines — Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe on Wednesday apologized for the atrocities of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.
Delivering a message in the Day of Valor ceremony in Bataan, Urabe apologized and vowed "never to wage war again" as Japan realized that force is not the solution to tensions.
"Seventy-two years have passed. Still, it hurts to remember the hardship and pain suffered by so many during those fateful days. I wish to express our heartfelt apologies and deep sense of remorse for those inexplicable suffering," he said.
Urabe said that Japan will instead continue to be proactive in contributing to peace and prosperity efforts in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao.
He also thanked Filipinos for their "positive attitude" toward the Japanese people despite the horrors of the past.
"The Filipinos have accepted to move on. We have been building the future together ever since. Thanks to the efforts of our predecessors, we are now strategic partners," he said.
Urabe, together with United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg, offered wreaths to honor the departed war heroes at the Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar town.
Japan was among the largest contributors and donors in the aftermath of Supertyphoon Yolanda that devastated the Visayas late last year.
The east Asian country also expressed its support for the Philippines' filing of arbitration against China in an effort to resolve the maritime tension over the West Philippine Sea.
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