TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed to step up his country’s effort to defend a rules-based international order in a peace pledge made Thursday on the 79th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.
“We will never again repeat the tragedy of war” and will stick to the country’s postwar pacifist resolve, he said at a solemn ceremony at the Budokan hall.
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Police officers walk around the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
People wait in queue before reaching to the main hall to pray at Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A man salutes at the main hall of the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
People walk through a gate to the main hall of the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A man clad in an outdated military uniform, center, raises a Japanese flag as another prays at the main hall of the Yasukuni Shrine, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A man prays near the main hall at Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
People observe a minute of silence at noon, while waiting in queue before reaching to the main hall to pray at Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A man bows in front of the main hall of the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, center, speaks to media members after offering prayer for the war dead at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, center right, and Empress Masako, center left, observe a moment of silence during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, right, and Empress Masako, left, observe a moment of silence during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japanese Emperor Naruhito, second right, and Empress Masako, right, attend the memorial ceremony for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, walks past Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, after his speech during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visit to offer flowers at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
People arrive for the memorial ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of Japan's defeat in the World War II, at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, left, and Empress Masako, left, attend a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japanese lawmakers leave after their prayer to the war dead the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara leaves after offering prayer for the war dead at Yasukuni Shrine, as Japan marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP
Japanese Emperor Naruhito, left, and Empress Masako, right, attend the memorial ceremony for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, rear right, and Empress Masako, rear left, observe a moment of silence during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
“In the world where tragic battles have persisted, Japan will continue its effort to maintain and strengthen the rules-based, free and open international order” and endeavor to resolve difficult global issues, Kishida said.
Kishida noted that more than 3 million Japanese were killed in the war. He also talked about the destruction in bloody ground battles on Japan's southern island of Okinawa, fire-bombings across Japan, and the atomic attacks on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. But he did not mention or apologize for Japanese aggression across Asia or the millions of lives lost there.
The omission follows a precedent set by then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his speech in 2013, a move critics call a whitewashing of Japan’s wartime atrocities.
Earlier Thursday, three of Kishida's ministers, including Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, prayed at the Yasukuni Shrine — seen by Asian neighbors as a symbol of militarism.
The controversial shrine honors convicted war criminals among about 2.5 million war dead. Victims of Japanese aggression, especially China and the Koreas, see visits to the shrine as a lack of remorse, and visits by defense officials are considered especially controversial.
Kihara is the first serving defense chief to pray at the shrine on the anniversary since then-Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi’s 2021 visit.
“I offered my sincere condolences for those who sacrificed their precious lives in the war and expressed my respect," Kihara told reporters, adding that he paid tribute as a private individual. Asked about a possible impact on the relationship with Seoul, he said he would continue his effort to strengthen ties with South Korea.
Kishida abstained from praying at the Yasukuni Shrine just a block away and sent a religious ornament instead.
Asian neighbors criticized the ministers' visit to Yasukuni on Thursday.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, in a written statement, called Yasukuni visits by Japanese political leaders an “erroneous attitude towards historical issues.”
“Facing up to and deeply reflecting on the history of aggression is an essential prerequisite for Japan to establish and develop friendship and cooperation with its Asian neighbors after World War II,” Lin said, urging Japan to also "make a clean break with militarism, stick to the path of peaceful development, and take concrete actions to earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.”
In Seoul, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry in a statement expressed “deep disappointment and regret” over the ministers' visits to the shrine and said, "Our government calls for the responsible leaders in Japan to squarely face history and demonstrate through actions a humble reflection and genuine remorse for the past and we emphasize again that this would be an important foundation for the development of future-oriented Korea-Japan relations.”
Emperor Naruhito, who also attended the ceremony, repeated his “deep remorse” over Japan’s actions during the war that was fought in the name of the wartime emperor Hirohito, his grandfather.
Kishida accelerated Japan’s military buildup and spending as the country further deepens military cooperation with the United States and their Indo-Pacific partners in the face of growing threats from China and North Korea.
Kishida, who took office in 2021, announced Wednesday that he plans to step down after his governing party leadership vote in September.
Associated Press video journalist Mayuko Ono and writers Ken Moritsugu in Beijing and Kim Tong-hyung in Seoul, South Korea, contributed.
Police officers walk around the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
People wait in queue before reaching to the main hall to pray at Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A man salutes at the main hall of the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
People walk through a gate to the main hall of the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A man clad in an outdated military uniform, center, raises a Japanese flag as another prays at the main hall of the Yasukuni Shrine, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A man prays near the main hall at Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
People observe a minute of silence at noon, while waiting in queue before reaching to the main hall to pray at Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
A man bows in front of the main hall of the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead, in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, center, speaks to media members after offering prayer for the war dead at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, center right, and Empress Masako, center left, observe a moment of silence during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, right, and Empress Masako, left, observe a moment of silence during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japanese Emperor Naruhito, second right, and Empress Masako, right, attend the memorial ceremony for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, walks past Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, after his speech during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visit to offer flowers at the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
People arrive for the memorial ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of Japan's defeat in the World War II, at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, left, and Empress Masako, left, attend a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivers a speech during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japanese lawmakers leave after their prayer to the war dead the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara leaves after offering prayer for the war dead at Yasukuni Shrine, as Japan marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP
Japanese Emperor Naruhito, left, and Empress Masako, right, attend the memorial ceremony for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, rear right, and Empress Masako, rear left, observe a moment of silence during a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery as the country marks the 79th anniversary of its defeat in the World War II, in Tokyo, Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP)
LONDON (AP) — A British teen pleaded guilty Monday to murdering three girls and attempting to kill 10 other people in what a prosecutor said was a “meticulously planned” stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, entered the surprise plea as jury selection had been expected to begin at the start of his trial in Liverpool Crown Court.
The July 29 stabbings sent shock waves across the U.K. and led to a week of widespread rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after the suspect was falsely identified as an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat. He was born in Wales.
The attack occurred on the first day of summer vacation when the little girls at the Hart Space, a sanctuary hidden behind a row of houses, were in a class to learn yoga and dance to the songs of Taylor Swift. What was supposed to be a day of joy turned to terror and heartbreak when Rudakubana, armed with a knife, intruded and began stabbing the girls and their teacher in the seaside town of Southport in northwest England.
“This was an unspeakable attack — one which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness," Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle said. “A day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage.”
Prosecutors haven’t said what they believe led Rudakubana — who was days shy of his 18th birthday — to commit the atrocities, but Doyle said that it was clear he had a “a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence.”
Rudakubana had consistently refused to speak in court and did so once again when asked to identify himself at the start of the proceedings. But he broke his silence when he was read the 16-count indictment and asked to enter a plea, replying “guilty” to each charge.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin and for having an al-Qaida manual.
Rudakubana faces life imprisonment when sentenced Thursday, Justice Julian Goose said.
Defense lawyer Stanley Reiz said that he would present information to the judge about Rudakubana's mental health that may be relevant to his sentence.
The surviving victims and family members of those killed were absent in court, because they had expected to arrive Tuesday for opening statements.
Goose asked the prosecutor to apologize on his behalf that they weren't present to hear Rudakubana plead guilty.
He pleaded guilty to murdering Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6.
Eight other girls, ranging in age from 7 to 13, were wounded, along with instructor Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, who worked in a business next door and intervened. Fifteen other girls, as young as 5, were at the class but uninjured. Under a court order, none of the surviving girls can be named.
Hayes, who was stabbed and seriously wounded, said he still had flashbacks to the attack and was “hugely upset at the time that I wasn’t able to do more.”
“But I did what I could in the circumstances,” he told Sky News. “I’m grateful to be here, and by all accounts I’ll make a full recovery, at least physically. … I’m going to be OK and others won’t be, and that’s really where I I think the focus of attention should be.”
Police said the stabbings weren’t classified as acts of terrorism because the motive wasn’t known.
Several months after his arrest at the scene of the crime, Rudakubana was charged with additional counts for production of a biological toxin, ricin and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism for having the manual in a document on his computer.
Police said they found the evidence during a search of his family's home in a neighboring village.
The day after the killings — and shortly after a peaceful vigil for the victims — a violent group attacked a mosque near the crime scene and pelted police officers with bricks and bottles and set fire to police vehicles.
Rioting then spread to dozens of other towns over the next week when groups made up mostly of men mobilized by far-right activists on social media clashed with police during violent protests and attacked hotels housing migrants.
More than 1,200 people were arrested for the disorder and hundreds have been jailed for up to nine years in prison.
Media waits outside Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana leaves Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
In this Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook, Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana appears on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where he has pleaded guilty to killing three young girls and wounded 10 other people in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)
People queue at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)
FILE - Police officers watch members of the public outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)
FILE - Tributes are seen outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)