The "Reflection" Expression Revived by Ishiba After 13 Years... Omitted by Takaichi

Takaichi Delivers First Defeat Day Address as Prime Minister
No Mention of "Reflection" or "Renunciation of War"
Seen as a Return to the Conservative Abe Approach

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not use the term "remorse" regarding Japan's wartime responsibility in her speech at the national memorial ceremony for the war dead, held on August 15, which is both the 81st anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II and Korea’s Liberation Day. The expression, which had been revived last year for the first time in 13 years by then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, was omitted again just one year later. Japanese foreign media characterized this as a "return to the Abe era."

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is delivering a speech to the public regarding the Kumamoto earthquake that occurred in Tokyo on July 28. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

According to Kyodo News and The Japan Times, at the memorial ceremony held at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan, Prime Minister Takaichi said, "Japan has consistently followed the path of a nation that values peace and has made every possible effort for global peace and prosperity." She went on to state that Japan should become "a shining beacon in the Indo-Pacific on which other countries can rely."

However, she did not use the word "remorse" over the war, which had been included last year by then-Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Last year, former Prime Minister Ishiba had emphasized, "We must once again deeply engrave in our hearts the lessons and remorse of war," and pledged a "resolute vow to renounce war." The mention of "remorse" by a Japanese Prime Minister in a defeat anniversary memorial address was the first in 13 years, since then-Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in 2012.

Prime Minister Takaichi also did not directly mention Japan's wartime aggression in Asia, including actions in Korea and China. Until before former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is seen as Takaichi’s political mentor, returned to power in 2012, Japanese Prime Ministers had regularly referenced Japan’s aggression and remorse in their defeat anniversary addresses.

The phrasing used to express Japan's resolve not to repeat war also changed. Unlike previous Prime Ministers who stated, "We must never repeat the tragedy of war," Prime Minister Takaichi omitted the subject and said only, "The tragedy of war must never be repeated." Kyodo News pointed out that this could be interpreted as a more passive expression compared to her predecessors.

The Japan Times evaluated this speech as a return to the conservative tone of the Abe and Fumio Kishida administrations. It particularly noted that Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized her own diplomatic and security vision by including in her address the concept of a "free and open Indo-Pacific" advocated by former Prime Minister Abe.

In contrast, Emperor Naruhito, in his speech on the same day, as in previous years, referred to a "deep sense of remorse." He expressed his sincere hope that the memory of the suffering experienced during and after the war would continue to be passed on, and wished that the tragedy of war would never be repeated. Since his enthronement in 2019, Emperor Naruhito has consistently included the phrase "deep remorse" in his defeat anniversary memorial speech every year.

On that day, Prime Minister Takaichi did not visit Yasukuni Shrine in person, but instead made a ritual offering as president of the Liberal Democratic Party. This was reportedly in consideration of expected protests from Korea and China. However, some cabinet ministers, such as Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and key executives of the Liberal Democratic Party, did visit Yasukuni Shrine in person.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.