Koizumi said Japan felt "deep remorse" over WW2 Aggression

Asia marks end of war in Pacific

Countries around Asia are honouring their dead and calling for peace, as they mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific.

In Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Japan felt "deep remorse" for the aggression shown towards its neighbours during the world war II.

But across the region, many still feel that Japan has yet to fully face up to, and atone for, its wartime actions.

The war in the Pacific, which finally ended on 15 August 1945, killed millions of people from the jungles of Burma, Singapore Malaysia, Philippines, Korea, and China.

Japan has been heavily criticised for the brutality of its soldiers in the countries it annexed during the war - and especially for its treatment of civilians in China.

In a written statement, Mr Koizumi admitted on Monday that Japan had "caused great damages and pain to people in many countries, especially our Asian neighbours, through colonization and invasion.

"We will not forget the terrible lessons of the war, and will contribute to world peace and prosperity," he said.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Koizumi joined Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko for a nationally televised service.

They bowed deeply before a memorial to the country's war dead that had been set up on a white stage.

"In view of history, I sincerely wish that the ravages of war will never be repeated," Emperor Akihito said.

Despite Mr Koizumi's apology and the repeated calls for peace, many nations in Asia continue to feel that Japan has not done enough to face up to its wartime past.

Mr Koizumi's apology on Monday is similar to one he made in April, in response to anti-Japanese violence in China sparked by a series of new Japanese school textbooks which played down wartime atrocities.

An editorial in Monday's edition of China's state controlled China Daily newspaper made it clear that Beijing still believes Japan has still not adequately faced up to the past.

"Only with an honest attitude towards history can a nation win reconciliation and then integrate into the global community," the China Daily said.

"Actions speak louder than words... [Mr Koizumi's] words appeared faint and his sincerity is also in doubt," the newspaper said, referring to his past apologies.

In other parts of Asia, people voiced their anger against Japan to mark the anniversary.

Protesters in Hong Kong marched to the Japanese consulate on Monday, chanting that "Japan's hands are full of fresh blood". A similar march took place in Taiwan.

In Tokyo, there was a heavy media presence at the controversial Yasukuni shrine, where Japanese war dead - including 14 class A war criminals - are honoured.

Mr Koizumi's visits to the shrine have triggered anger among Japan's neighbours, but he did not visit the shrine on Monday.

Other senior politicians did visit, though - including Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara and ruling party executive Shinzo Abe, who is often cited as a candidate to succeed Mr Koizumi.

How do we define remorse? The people may forgive Japan, but they can't foget the embedded pain of humiliation and the atrocities.