Abe urged to apologize for aggression

With Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expected to make a statement on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Japan is being haunted by its aggression against other Asian nations in the past century. People at home and abroad are still trying to awaken the nation's conscience to face squarely this part of its history, which Abe and his supporters have so far refused to do.

During her Tokyo visit last week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave her host, a polite reminder, if not advice, by talking about her country's way of facing up to the crimes carried out under Nazi rule. She added that this was a precondition for reconciliation with the countries and peoples that had suffered from German aggression.

There are loud voices from people in Japan saying similar things.