Although  the 70th  anniversary of the end of World War II is still seven months away, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said Japan will face up to its war responsibility just as his predecessors did in a move to prevent upsetting its neighbors, China and South Korea.

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Political analysts said that Japan's statements on its war responsibilities will be deeply scrutinized by each country, especially China and South Korea, who had been victims of Japan's aggressions during World War II.

In a  news conference last Monday, Abe reassured the world that he will not veer away from the past statements of his predecessors on its wartime conduct which analysts said must be matched with actions.

Reports said that analysts are speculating that Japan might downplay its role in the war that would further strain its relations with China and South Korea.

Seventy years have passed since the end of World War II and commemorative events will be held all over the world. In this part of Asia, remembering the past will not be enough, analysts said.

Analysts added that carefully worded statements chosen by  each country, coupled with the tenor of events, will result in current-day implications for Japan's still icy relations with its neighbors.

Washington has expressed worry and concern over this part of the globe, fearing more tensions as China continues to build its naval power and whose military capability is threatening to shift the balance of power in a region where the U.S. has long made its strong presence in the seas.

''We encourage Japan to continue to work with its neighbors to resolve concerns over history in an amicable way through dialogue,'' State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington.

Reports said the Abe government will continue to uphold the stance of the past Prime Ministers including the Murayama apology made in 1995 by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama during the 50th anniversary of the war's end.

Psaki said Japan's apology made in 1995 marked a significant step in its efforts to improve its strained relations with its neighbors including China.

Abe told reporters that Japan's statements on the 70th anniversary of war's end to be issued on August 15 will be revised and will include its expression of remorse over wartime atrocities.

Abe, however, did not mention on whether or not Japan will apologize again for its wartime behaviour.

A Japanese newspaper criticized Abe, saying that he must face up to Japan's  wartime responsibility.

In an editorial, Asahi newspaper said that if Abe continues to talk about the future without owning up to its past, countries that suffered during the war will think that the Prime Minister is actually implying that "let's forget about the past."

TagsWorld War II, war atrocities