NEW YORK: The United States called Tuesday for Japan to build “strong and constructive” relations with its neighbours as it welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plan to express remorse in a special statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
“We welcome Prime Minister Abe’s comments yesterday, including the positive message on history issues and Japan’s post-war contributions to peace,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said at a regular press briefing.
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We believe that strong and constructive relations between countries in the region promote peace and stability and are in the interests of both the countries, as well as the United States,” she said.
In his New Year’s news conference on Monday, Abe said he would include Japan’s remorse over the war and how the country will contribute to the region and beyond when he issues the special war-end anniversary statement in August.In her first response to Abe’s remarks, Psaki on Monday took note of two previous statements of apology that Japan has issued over the war — the Murayama and Kono statements — saying they “marked important chapters in Japan’s efforts to improve relations with its neighbors.”
