As China gears to commemorate the 70^th anniversary of the end of Second World War, a Japanese official has announced that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will not attend the event.

Like Us on Facebook

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Monday that Abe will not be able to attend the event due to impending parliamentary meetings.

"The decision was made taking into consideration parliamentary proceedings and other situations," Suga said. "He will not be traveling to China shortly before or after Sept.3. We will continue to seek out ways for our two countries to communicate with each other."

South Korean President Park Geun-hye has announced that she will be attending the event. However, it is not clear if she will be present at the military parade.

Several world leaders including Russia's Vladimir Putin, Mongolia's Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj, Egypt's Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi and Milos Zeman of the Czech Republic have accepted China's invitation to attend the ceremony.

More than 10,000 troops - mostly comprised of contingents from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) -would march through central Beijing to mark the 70^th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the end of World War II.

The event would also feature displays of missiles, fighter jets and other weaponry showcasing Beijing's growing military capabilities.

The relationship between China and Japan has been negatively affected by Tokyo's refusal to apologize for its wartime aggression during the Second World War. During his speech to mark the end of the war, Abe highlighted the apologies offered by previous Japanese governments for the country's wartime crimes. However, he failed to offer a new apology.

"No matter what kind of effort we may make, the sorrows of those who lost their family members and the painful memories of those who underwent immense suffering by the destruction of war will never be healed," Abe said.

There have also been growing tensions in the region over the China's land reclamation in the disputed South China Sea. Japan has also accused China of conducting oil and gas exploration in disputed parts of the East China Sea.

Suga expressed concerns over the possible anti-Japanese rhetoric during the ceremony to mark Tokyo's 1945 surrender.

However, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has quelled reports that the parade scheduled for September 3^rd would be used to trumpet anti-Japanese rhetoric. He explained it is a gathering for peace loving people and that China aims to be a force for good in the world.

Diplomatic ties between China and Japan has improved since the meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Abe last year. Nonetheless, experts say much is left to be desired.

According to Suga, Japan and China would seek other opportunities to meet and iron out their differences.

Tags70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, China World War II 70th Anniversary Military Parade, China World War II 70th Anniversary, Shinzo Abe China World War II 70th Anniversary Military Parade