Japanese Emperor Naruhito, and Empress Masako, look at Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bowing during a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan Martial Arts Hall in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. Japan marked Thursday the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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TOKYO (AP) - Emperor Naruhito has expressed deep remorse over Japan's role in World War II in his first appearance at the annual ceremony marking the end of the hostilities.
The 59-year-old monarch is Japan's first emperor born after the war, and his remarks Thursday followed the stance of his father, Akihito, who abdicated in May.
Naruhito, attending an event in Tokyo on the 74th anniversary of the war's end, expressed "the feelings of deep remorse" over the tragedy. He pledged to reflect on the wartime past and expressed hope that the tragedy should never be repeated.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stayed away from a Tokyo shrine that honors convicted war criminals among the war dead, but did not apologize or acknowledge Japanese wartime atrocities.
Bereaved relatives of the war dead offer a minute of silence during a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan Martial Arts Hall in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. Japan marked Thursday the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe walks to deliver his remarks during a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan Martial Arts Hall in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. Japan marked Thursday the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Japanese Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by Empress Masako bows after delivering a speech before the main altar decorated with huge bank of chrysanthemums during a memorial ceremony for the war dead at Nippon Budokan Martial Arts Hall in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. Japan marked Thursday the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
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Japanese lawmakers visit the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo to offer prayers to the war dead, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. Japan marked Thursday the 74th anniversary of the end of the World War II. (Naoya Osato/Kyodo News via AP)
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Japanese Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by Empress Masako bows before the main altar decorated with huge bank of chrysanthemums during a memorial service at Nippon Budokan Martial Arts Hall in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. Japan marked Thursday the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
The Associated Press
Japanese Emperor Naruhito, accompanied by Empress Masako bows before the main altar decorated with huge bank of chrysanthemums during a memorial service at Nippon Budokan Martial Arts Hall in Tokyo Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019. Japan marked Thursday the 74th anniversary of the end of World War II. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
The Associated Press