Speaking today, the Foreign Secretary said:

“I welcome Prime Minister Abe’s statement on the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. I was pleased to read the reaffirmation of previous Japanese statements of apology and acknowledge Japan’s commitment, over 70 years, to peaceful development and to the rules-based international system. I welcome, as well, PM Abe’s acknowledgment of the suffering of Japanese POWs, including many thousands of Britons.

“I hope this statement will be received as a positive contribution to reconciliation between Japan and its neighbours in North East Asia”