Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (5th R front) attends a memorial service for the war dead at the Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Aug.15, 2008. An annual memorial ceremony, the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II, was held here Friday.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    TOKYO, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Japan held an annual state ceremony Friday to commemorate those Japanese killed in World War II and pray world peace on the 63rd anniversary of its unconditional surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.

    Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and other Cabinet members, as well as parliament leaders attended the ceremony held at the Nippon Budokan in the northern part of the Imperial Palace with about 5,000 representatives of the bereaved families.

    Fukuda said in his speech that Japan lost more than 3 million lives in the war and inflicted huge damages and pains to people of many countries, especially those of Asian countries. On behalf of the Japanese people, Fukuda expressed his deep remorse and mourned the deceased.

    The prime minister said that only by remembering the tragic past and telling the history correctly to descendants could Japan implement the unfulfilled wish of the deceased. He reiterated Japan's pledge to denounce war and work actively for long-lasting world peace.

    Japanese House of Councilors President Satsuki Eda said it's Japan's responsibility to build itself into a peaceful country which deserves trust of the world.

    A series of gatherings were organized throughout Japan during the day to mourn those killed in the war and pray peace.

    However, some famous Japanese politicians, including Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe, both former prime ministers, and three ministers of the current Fukuda Cabinet, made indecent visits to the notorious war-related Yasukuni Shrine which honors 14 Class-A war criminals earlier in the day.