First Idvisory Panel Meeting on Japanese PM's Planned Statement on 70th Anniversary of WWII Held

TOKYO, JAPAN - FEBRUARY 25: Masashi Nishihara is seen prior to the first meeting of the advisory panel on the Japanese leader's planned statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official residence on February 25, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. Although Abe says his administration will uphold past government apology statements 'on the whole,' the prime minister appears reluctant to continue using such phrases as 'colonial rule and aggression,' 'deep remorse' and 'heartfelt apology,' which were included in the anniversary messages of former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995 and former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2005. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)