NextFin news, Tokyo, Sept. 24 (Jiji Press) – Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba declared on Wednesday that he plans to release a statement regarding World War II following the Oct. 4 leadership election of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Tokyo.
The timing is intended to prevent any impact on the ongoing LDP presidential race, as Ishiba is the outgoing party president and is expected to resign in October. The statement will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Ishiba emphasized the necessity of examining the background that led Japan into the war and the domestic political situation at that time to prevent a recurrence of such tragedy. He has expressed eagerness to include these reflections in his forthcoming message.
However, some conservative members within the LDP have criticized Ishiba’s intention, fearing that a new statement might reignite historical disputes with other countries. They support the 2015 war statement by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which stated, “We must not let our children, grandchildren, and even further generations to come, who have nothing to do with that war, be predestined to apologize.”
To minimize internal opposition, Ishiba has chosen to delay the release of his message until after the LDP election. His statement is expected to maintain the historical recognition presented by previous prime ministers, including Abe.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, during his address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Ishiba shared part of his planned message, highlighting Japan’s postwar efforts toward world peace, supported by the spirit of tolerance demonstrated by other Asian nations.
The LDP presidential election on Oct. 4 will determine the party’s new leader, who is expected to become Japan’s next prime minister following Ishiba’s resignation later in October.
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