Japan PM speech includes apology for wartime past

JAKARTA - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will apologise in a speech today for the suffering Japan's past militarism inflicted on Asia, remarks that appeared to be aimed at soothing anti-Japanese outrage in China and South Korea.

The remarks, contained in a copy of a speech to be delivered at an Asia-Africa conference in Jakarta, come as Koizumi seeks a summit with Chinese President Hu Jintao to resolve a diplomatic crisis with Japan's giant Asian neighbour.

They echoed previous apologies by Japanese leaders, but the setting - an gathering of international leaders at an Asia-Africa summit - was rare.

Thousands of Chinese have been protesting against what they see as Japan's failure to own up to its wartime past and are opposing its bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.

"In the past, Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations, " Koizumi said in a a prepared copy of the speech.

"Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility," Koizumi said, adding that Japan always had in mind "feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology".

- REUTERS