TOKYO, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, and other parties all issued statements on Tuesday, calling for peace at the61st anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.

    Japan should develop its diplomacy based on the Japan-U.S. relations model and stick to peaceful diplomacy in developing friendship with neighboring countries and working as a member of the international society, the LDP statement said.

    Japan had chosen war in the past and brought enormous harm and pain to Asian people under its colonial rule and aggression, said the statement by the Democratic Party of Japan.

    Japan should "be humble" in dealing with this part of history and never forget it, the statement said, adding that Japan should continue to frankly reflect on its history and work at maintaining peace.

    The Komei Party, the LDP's coalition partner, in its statement urged Japan to stick to peace forever and vow before the world that it would endeavor to create a peaceful nation.

    The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) criticized Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14Japanese Class-A war criminals from World War II, saying that the shrine visits lead to Japan's frustrated diplomacy in Asia.

    Japan should maintain its pacifist constitution and contribute to world peace, the statement said.

    The statement from the opposition Social Democratic Party warned Japan against starting any more war.

    Japan should make efforts in building a multinational, multi-cultural society and be on high alert against any leaders' stirring up of ultranationalism, it said. Enditem