After months of calculation and consultation, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday unveiled the much-anticipated text of his remarks on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, expressing "profound grief" for all those who perished in the conflict and vowing that his country would use diplomatic and peaceful means -- not force -- to solve world problems.
Abe affirmed apologies by previous administrations, noting that his precedessors had "repeatedly expressed ... feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology" and that such positions "will remain unshakable in the future." And in a seeming nod to the comfort women issue, he acknowledged that Japan had hurt the dignity of women during wartime.