Japan's Emperor Naruhito has expressed "deep remorse" over his country's actions during World War Two, on the 75th anniversary of its surrender.
"I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never again be repeated," he said at a ceremony on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised to "never repeat the tragedy".
The PM marked the occasion by sending an offering to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo, but did not visit in person.
However, four ministers did visit the Yasukuni Shrine, in a move that is likely to anger China and South Korea.