On August 15, DPJ Secretary General Katsuya Okada issued the following statement:

Today marks the 66th anniversary of World War II. I would like to express my sincere condolences, along with those of the Japanese people, for all those who lost their lives in this conflict, both in Japan and overseas.

No matter how many years have passed, we must never forget this terrible war, which caused serious suffering and devastation to so many inside and outside Japan. We must ensure that such a tragedy will not happen again. It is the mission and the responsibility entrusted to those of us alive in the modern era to squarely confront history, and use what we learn from that experience to build world peace.

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, our nation has received a tremendous outpouring of support and encouragement from the international community. The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident is also influencing the nuclear power and energy policies of countries around the globe. We are profoundly grateful for the goodwill and cooperation received from around the world, as well as being determined to strengthen our ties with the international community and further contribute to its peace and prosperity.

Sadly, even in today’s world, conflicts, terrorism and violence continue to occur. We must not forget that behind such issues lie deep-rooted problems such as poverty, prejudice and suppression of human rights. Humankind also faces the serious threat of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, while serious issues still exist in the region surrounding Japan.

On this anniversary of the end of World War II, the Democratic Party of Japan vows to make the cornerstone of our efforts a foreign policy supported by the strong will and peace philosophy of the Japanese people, as we join hands firmly with the international community to engage in the resolution of various conflict-related issues, and make every effort to strive to realise lasting world peace.