Japan PM expresses heartfelt apology for colonial rule of Korea

Japan Tuesday issued an apology for its colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula (1910-45) ahead of the centenary of the annexation, which falls on Aug. 29.

In a statement, Prime Minister Naoto Kan expressed deep regret over the suffering inflicted during Japan's colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, news reports said. The apology was timed to also precede Korea's celebration of its 1945 liberation on Aug. 15.

Kan expressed his "feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for the tremendous damage and suffering brought by the colonial rule," according to the reports.

"Through the colonial rule that was against their will... the people of Korea were deprived of their nation and culture and their ethnic pride was deeply hurt," the statement said.