PALO, Leyte, Oct. 20 (PNA) – An official from the Japanese embassy has apologized anew for the World War II aggressions and atrocities committed by their soldiers as the country marked the 71st anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings.
Minister Tetsuro Amano, deputy chief mission and consul-general of the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines has expressed his “feelings of profound grief and eternal sincere condolences” for the violence, particularly during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
“Japan has repeatedly expressed that feeling of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for its actions during the war,” said Amano during his solidarity greetings of Leyte Gulf Landing anniversary at the Macarthur Landing Memorial Park in this town.
“In order to manifest such feeling to concrete actions, Japan has sincerely committed to proactively contribute to peace and prosperity based on the rule of law and justice,” he added.
In the past six decades, Amano said that Japan has been exerting efforts to build friendship with Filipinos through trade relations, bilateral agreements, and various forms of assistance.
“We are friends and this friendship only gets deeper through time. This year marks the 59th year of normalization of diplomatic relation between Philippines and Japan, anchored on our common values and interest,” Amano explained.
When super typhoon Yolanda struck in 2013, Japan, according to Amano, launched emergency response and recovery projects with a total budget of USD600 million.
“Japan is true to its commitment to work hand in hand with Philippines and the rest of the world to ensure the value of peace, democracy and human life we have worked in the past 71 years will continue to live on,” he added.
The Imperial Japanese forces invaded the Philippines in 1942 under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita.
In a battle in October 1944, Japanese forces were defeated by the Allied troops who made successive landings on Leyte Island. The battle is considered as a major naval engagement in modern history. (PNA)
FPV/SARWELL Q. MENIANO
