Koizumi apologizes for Japan's World War II legacy (4min)

Japan's Prime Minister marked the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II with a statement, approved by the Cabinet, containing an apology. But in a nationally televised address at a memorial ceremony, Junichiro Koizumi's words were more muted in the presence of Japan's emperor. Exactly sixty years to the minute after his father announced Japan's surrender, Emperor Akihito bowed his head for 60 seconds of silent prayer at a national memorial ceremony. The emperor and Empress Michiko stood facing a large arrangement of yellow and white chrysanthemums, where the emperor read a brief statement. Emperor Akihito said looking back on history he "ardently hopes the horrors of war will never be repeated."

This year's anniversary comes at a contentious time in Japan's relations with its former colonies, including China and the two Koreas. Japan is perceived as moving back toward the right because of the introduction of nationalist textbooks that gloss over the country's wartime atrocities.

There are also rising objections to the Tokyo War Crimes Trials between 1946 and 1948, which resulted in the international military tribunal handing down seven death sentences. In an editorial on Monday, Japan's largest circulation newspaper, the conservative Yomiuri, said there are lingering doubts about the nature of the trial and it "may be advisable for the Japanese people to reconsider who bears responsibility for the war."