Prime Minister Shinzo Abe mentioned the "deep remorse" of previous governments for Japan's wartime aggression in a statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the country's World War II defeat.

Here are some key expressions from Japanese leaders' previous statements on the country's militaristic past.

Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama on the 50th anniversary, 1995

"During a certain period in the not too distant past, Japan, following a mistaken national policy, advanced along the road to war, only to ensnare the Japanese people in a fateful crisis, and, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations.

"In the hope that no such mistake be made in the future, I regard, in a spirit of humility, these irrefutable facts of history, and express here once again my feelings of deep remorse and state my heartfelt apology. Allow me also to express my feelings of profound mourning for all victims, both at home and abroad, of that history.

"Building from our deep remorse on this occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, Japan must eliminate self-righteous nationalism, promote international coordination as a responsible member of the international community and, thereby, advance the principles of peace and democracy."