The official ceremony, attended by some 6,200 people including veterans, relatives of war dead, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, began at Tokyo's Budokan hall at 11:50 am (0250 GMT) with the singing of the national anthem, "Kimigayo" ("Thy Reign").

After bowing before a cenotaph dedicated to some 3.1 million war victims, Koizumi, dressed in a black morning coat and tails, renewed a pledge renouncing war and expressed remorse for Japan's aggression against its Asian neighbours.

"We look back back humbly on the past and firmly maintain our promise to renounce war," he said.

"Our country above all inflicted great pain and damage on our neighbouring countries in Asia," Koizumi said. "We will put all our efforts to building friendly relations with all nations and contribute to everlasting peace."

Emperor Akihito led a minute's silence while bowing before the wooden monument, which was flanked by a huge display of white and gold chrysanthemums.

"I earnestly hope that the disaster of war will never be repeated," the emperor said. "With all the people of Japan, I mourn for those fallen in war and those scattered by the battlefields. I pray for world peace and the development of our nation."

Earlier Koizumi laid flowers at the Chidorigafuchi cemetery for some 350,000 unknown soldiers in Tokyo and, in line with a previous pledge, stayed away from the Yasukuni Shinto shrine to Japan's war dead, visits to which by Japanese leaders invariably prompt protests from elsewhere in Asia.

Koizumi made his third trip since becoming premier to Yasukuni in a surprise visit in January, drawing harsh criticism from South and North Korea, and said he would not visit on the sensitive anniversary.

The shrine is widely seen as a symbol of Japan's former militarism, particularly since 1978 when it enshrined 14 convicted Class-A war criminals including wartime prime minister General Hideki Tojo.

However, four cabinet ministers, including Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma, and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Yoshiyuki Kamei, visited the shrine in driving rain.

"There have been people who died in their duties in the past and I paid homage by thinking our country's foundation lies on such people's sacrifice," said Sadakazu Tanigaki, the minister in charge of the National Public Safety Commission.

In all, more than 50 members of parliament, as well as Tokyo's avowedly nationalist governor Shintaro Ishihara, visited the shrine Friday, according to media reports.

Right-wingers, mostly young men, were seen roaming the shrine precincts, carrying rising-sun flags, while one group paraded in black uniforms.

"This is the first time for me to come here. I came so as not to forget those who died for their country," said one rightist, with dyed hair and wearing a military-style uniform emblazoned with the name of the Nationalist Party of Japan.

"I enjoy it, this is fun," said the 18-year-old, who gave his name only as Fukuda.

About 800 veterans, students and other people braved the torrential rain to take part in a ceremony at the shrine.

"I come to the Yasukuni Shrine every year to show my respect to the Emperor," said an 81 year-old special forces veteran who only gave his family name, Seisho.

Asked what he thought of the young rightists, he shrugged: "well, there are bad persons everywhere," then added: "it's important that young people come to this shrine so as not to forget what happened during the war".

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WAR.WIRE