(VOVworld) - Japanese Emperor Akihito marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two with an expression of "deep remorse" over the conflict on Saturday. "Reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse over the last war, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated," Akihito, 81, said at a memorial service on the anniversary of the day his father, Hirohito, announced Japan's defeat. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday expressed "utmost grief", but said future generations should not have to keep apologizing for the mistakes of the past. He offered no fresh apology of his own. The remarks on Friday by Abe faced strong critics from China and the Republic of Korea, which suffered under Japan's occupation and colonial rule before Tokyo's defeat in 1945.

The Republic of Korean President Park Geun-hye said Seoul was focused on Abe's decision to uphold previous cabinets' understanding of history, but added that the speech contained "regrettable elements". She said she hoped Japan "soon and properly" resolved issues regarding women's "honor and dignity". Meanwhile, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea called Japan’s Prime Minister Abe’s speech a fake apology. The Chinese Foreign Minister’s spokesperson Hua Chunying said that Japan should apologize sincerely to countries that suffered from its military aggression and urged Japan to "take concrete actions to gain the trust of its Asian neighbors and the global community". In a statement released on Friday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon expressed his hope that concerned countries can conceal for common peace and prosperity in the region.