"Later in his life, Hirohito looked back on his decision to give the go-ahead to wage a 'defensive' war against China and opined that his foremost priority was not to wage war with China but to prepare…"

"It is my earnest desire that the people of Japan will unite as one and strive for the reconstruction and development of the nation."

"The lessons learned from the past must guide our future."

"I am deeply grieved by the many sacrifices and sufferings that have been inflicted upon the peoples of Asia during the war."

"I trust in the wisdom of the Japanese people."