TOKYO: Tens of thousands of people braved blazing heat to pay their respects at a controversial Japanese shrine Friday, as Emperor Naruhito spoke of his “deep remorse” on the 80th anniversary of the nation’s World War II surrender. A cabinet minister was among the visitors to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honors 2.5 million mostly Japanese soldiers who perished since the late 19th century, but also enshrines convicted war criminals. Trips to the shrine by government officials have angered countries that suffered Japanese military atrocities, particularly China and South Korea.

TOKYO: Tens of thousands of people braved blazing heat to pay their respects at a controversial Japanese shrine Friday, as Emperor Naruhito spoke of his “deep remorse” on the 80th…

On the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender, Shigeru Ishiba expresses ‘remorse’ – a first for a PM since 2013.

Japan marks 80 years since Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s surrender to Allied forces.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed “remorse” over the war, which he called a mistake.

In an address at the National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for remorse over Japan's actions during World War II.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the shrine in Tokyo, and several senior members of his government went there in person.