Japan may fail to give 'official' war anniversary statement

TOKYO - Japan may forgo a cabinet decision on a statement to be issued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this summer on the 70th anniversary of the country's surrender in World War II, sources said.

Japan's Asian neighbours, especially South Korea and China, are unlikely to be pleased by the statement. Abe is expected to stop short of offering an apology over Japan's wartime actions.

The government is considering downgrading the statement to Abe's "personal view," instead of making it a more official one approved at a cabinet meeting, out of consideration to South Korea and China, the sources said.

It is still unclear whether the downgraded statement would gain the understanding of the two Asian neighbours. Abe is expected to make a final decision on the matter carefully, taking into account future international relations.

If the statement is adopted at a cabinet meeting, it will be seen as reflecting the entire government's view.

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