Japan's opposition party leaders on Friday urged Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to gain trust of neighboring Asian countries by concrete actions instead of mere words, Kyodo News reported.

The comments were made on Koizumi's speech in Jakarta, which expressed "deep remorse" and "heartfelt apology" for Japan's wartime wrongdoings.

Koizumi, who is attending the two-day Asian-African summit in the Indonesian capital, also said he would adhere to the "Murayama Statement" on historical issues.

"Japan, through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations," former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama said on Aug. 15, 1995, in a statement marking the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, which has been known as "the Murayama Statement."

Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) leader Katsuya Okada said at a press conference that Koizumi just said things which should be done and he hoped Koizumi's expression was not merely from his mouth, but from his heart.

Another LDP senior official criticized Koizumi for not taking any actions to gain trust from Asian nations.

Referring to Koizumi's quotation of the "Murayama Statement," Seiji Mataichi, secretary general of the Social Democratic Party, stressed that Koizumi only quoted the statement at a time of disadvantage.

"The premier should give a clear declaration to stop Yasukuni Shrine visits, otherwise, discontentment to Japan from its neighboring Asian countries will never cool down," Mataichi was quoted by Kyodo as saying.

In the "Murayama Statement," Murayama expressed deep remorse for Japanese crimes before and during the war. He also stressed the need for the country to "convey to younger generations the horror of war" so that it will never repeat the mistake.

The Yasukuni Shrine honors 14 Class-A World War II criminals along with Japan's war dead since the mid-19th century. Koizumi has paid four visits to the shrine since he took office in 2001.

Source: Xinhua