The Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe will express deep regret over the Second World War and may apologize for Japan's role in the conflict in his speech on Friday, according to government insiders. Japanese media sources have cited insiders who say that Abe is considering whether to use the words "apology" and "aggression" in his statement on the 70^th anniversary of the end of World War II.

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An earlier version of Abe's speech did not include both words. However, the speech was revised after junior coalition members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party demanded the inclusion of the aforementioned words.

The Premier's apology is a very delicate matter for Japan and neighboring countries who suffered the ill effects of Japan's colonial expansion and industrial ambitions during the war. Experts say while Abe may want to please neighboring countries - such as China and Korea - by including an apology in his speech, he risks alienating some section of his supporters who oppose such contrition.

In the past, Japanese premiers - most notably Tomiichi Murayama - have expressed remorse for Japan's wartime aggression and apologized to neighboring countries. But Abe has been reluctant to do so - despite the insistence of many.

Recently, Murayama told the press that Abe risks jeopardizing Japan's relationship with neighboring countries if he fails to apologize for the country's wartime atrocities in the upcoming speech. "Without words of apology, neighboring countries could harbor skepticism again," he explained.

The reaffirmation of Japan's pacifist stance is particularly important now because of a series of controversial security bills being promoted by Abe. The regulation, which has been approved the lawmakers in Japan's Lower House, would allow the country's military forces to fight in foreign land for the first time since the Second World War. Several neighboring countries - including China - have criticized the security bills and have demanded transparency from the Japanese government.

Experts agree that an apologetic stance in Abe's speech will ease growing tensions between Japan and her neighbors. Recently, South Korean President Park Geun-hye noted that it is important for Abe to uphold the apologies of previous Japanese leaders.

"We hope that Japan will show a mature attitude to start anew its relations with neighboring countries," Park said.

Last week, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying also released a statement urging the Japanese government to "squarely look at and deeply reflect upon the war launched by Japanese militarism, send a clear and correct message on the nature of the war and its responsibility for it in particular, and win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community with concrete actions."

TagsShinzo Abe World War II Anniversary Speech, Japan World War II, 70th Anniversary of End of World War II