Japan apologizes to PHL with ‘deep sense of remorse’ for World War II

President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the 73rd Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at the Dambana ng Kagitingan, Mt. Samat Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Thursday (April 09, 2015). This year’s theme: “Ipunla and Kagitingan sa Kabataan, Ihanda ang Beterano ng Kinabukasan.” Also in photo are US Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Philip Goldberg and Japan Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Kazuhide Ishikawa. (Photo by Rey Baniquet / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO)

MANILA – During today’s Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) ceremonies in Bataan, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa expressed his home country’s “deep remorse” for the suffering that the Japanese caused during the Second World War.

“Standing here today at the Mount Samat memorial, I wish to express our heartfelt apologies and deep sense of remorse for all who have suffered during those fateful days. We all remember and never forget what happened here,” Ambassador Ishikawa said, which garnered light applause from the crowd.

Ambassador Ishikawa also mentioned Japan’s commitment to help out in the Philippines’ peace process, which is “one of the top priorities for assistance from Japan.”

“I would like to stress here that the path Japan has taken as a peace-loving nation in the past 70 years will remain unchanged, and Japan is determined to make greater contributions toward peace and prosperity for the entire international community,” Ishikawa said.

The Japanese Ambassador also shared their hopes of a lengthy and meaningful connection between the concerned countries who have expressed support for the peace process.

“We are very pleased to work together with the Philippines, the United States, and all of our partners to this end. Seventy years ago, we were enemies. Now, we are close friends,” he said.

“May this friendship be forever.”