Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on Saturday expressed his remorse for the victims of World War II during which Japan inflicted great pains to people of many countries, especially in Asia.

Aso also said Japan should humbly reflect upon the past, not forget the pain of the war and pass the lessen to the next generations.

Aso made the remarks at a televised ceremony to pay respect to millions of Japan's war dead at the Nihon Budokan hall in Tokyo on the 64th anniversary of the end of World War II.

"Three million Japanese died during the World War II. At the same time Japan also inflicted great pains to people of many countries, especially those in Asian countries. Along with deep regret, I express my remorse for the victims of war," said Aso.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko also attended the ceremony, leading a one-minute silence at noon.

Emperor Akihito, whose father Hirohito issued the surrender on Aug. 15, 1945, said he hoped Japan would never again wage a war.

However, former Japanese prime ministers Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe visited Tokyo's war-related Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday morning.

One of Aso's Cabinet ministers -- consumer affairs minister Seiko Noda -- also visited the shrine on Saturday.

The Yasukuni shrine, which honors some 2.5 million Japanese war dead including 14 leading war criminals, is seen as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

Koizumi was the first sitting prime minister in 21 years to visit the shrine in 2006. His visit soured Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors.

Abe's visit on Saturday is his second in a row, although he had avoided visiting the shrine while he was prime minister.

Japan's main opposition leader Yukio Hatoyama, widely tipped to become the next prime minister after the Aug. 30 general election, had indicated that he would not visit the shrine if elected.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2009)