Japan’s PM Mentions Wartime ‘Regret,’ Toeing Right-Wing Line

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba commemorated the victims of World War II and expressed regret, treading a delicate line between appeasing right-wing factions within his party and acknowledging Japan's wartime actions. The speech came amid speculation over whether Ishiba would make a strong statement on Japan's wartime atrocities, which could have angered the country's right-leaning political forces. While Ishiba did not go into specifics, his words of "regret" were seen as a measured response, attempting to balance different political and social sensitivities. The prime minister's address highlighted the ongoing challenges Japan faces in navigating its wartime legacy and its impact on the country's contemporary politics. The need to acknowledge historical wrongdoings while managing the demands of various domestic stakeholders remains a complex and sensitive issue for the Japanese government.