Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama is urging Shinzo Abe's current government to honor the apology made to Asia in 1995.
Murayama made the statement during a speech in Seoul.
While in office, Murayama officially apologized to Japan's neighbors for their suffering caused by the country's wartime aggression.
The former Prime Minister says the statement was issued by Japan's entire government and therefore must be followed by those after him.
"Abe is sometimes flopping back and forth, but when really pushed on the issue, it's not as if he lies or says something incorrect. So in the end, he has to say that he is continuing to follow the Murayama statement."
Murayama has
