Japanese Leaders Restate Commitment to Peace at WWII Memorial
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and other leaders have renounced war at a ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of WWII's end. Japan's constitution also renounces war and military forces, although Kishida has doubled military spending during his tenure, citing the threat from China and North Korea.
Transcript
00:00Japan's leaders have reiterated a pledge to never again go to war.
00:05The comments came during a ceremony marking the 79th anniversary of the end of World War
00:11II.
00:12The comments from the Prime Minister echoed the language of Japan's post-war constitution,
00:40which renounces war powers and military forces.
00:43Japan has, however, maintained what it calls a purely defensive military to defend its
00:49territory.
00:50Kishida's tenure has seen Japan double military spending and acquire new weapons, citing perceived
00:55threats from North Korea and China.