Statement by Abe to offer an 'apology'

Japanese prime minister under pressure to express remorse for past aggression

Sources close to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that the Japanese leader's statement on Friday will include key words such as "apology", and observers said Abe is possibly doing so because of pressures both internally and externally.

Japan's public broadcaster NHK quoted unnamed sources close to the government as saying that the draft of the Abe statement-to be issued one day before the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II - will include the key words "apology" and "aggression" in addition to the phrases "deep remorse" and "colonial rule".