Abe shies away from a direct apology

Japanese primeministermentions key words, but only when quoting others

China is urging Japan to repent in concrete terms after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attempted to downplay his country's aggression in a long-awaited statement marking the end of World War II.

In a statement released one day ahead of Saturday's 70th anniversary of the end of the war, Abe did mention the awaited key words - "aggression", "apology", "colonial rule" and "deep remorse".