Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) visits the Ise shrine in Ise in Mie prefecture, central Japan on Monday accompanied by his cabinet members. Photo: AFP

Japan's conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday he would release a fresh statement on World War II this year, but would stand by previous apologies for wartime misdeeds.

The comment may help allay fears that the nationalist premier, who has been ambiguous on Japan's guilt for its formalized system of sex slavery, would play down a landmark 1993 statement on the subject which both China and South Korea say is vital to regional relations.

During his first news conference of the year, the premier said he would record his government's thinking on the future when he issues the statement - expected on August 15, the 70th anniversary of Japan's surrender.

"During the past 70 years ... Japan moved ahead as a pacifist nation and made a big contribution to peace, development and democratization in the Asia-Pacific and the world," Abe told the conference near a Shinto shrine in Ise, central Japan.

But Abe also said he would stick to statements by previous governments about the nation's wartime behavior, including an official 1995 apology by then-prime minister Tomiichi Murayama.

The statement said Japan "through its colonial rule and aggression, caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations," adding the premier feels "deep remorse" and offers a "heartfelt apology."

Japan's right-wingers would like the apology revoked, something that Abe was always under huge international pressure to avoid.

Abe himself has repeatedly picked at the diplomatic scab left by the institutionalized system of sex slavery that saw up to 200,000 women from Korea, China and elsewhere forced into service during the conflict.

Although he has stopped short of revoking Japan's 1993 admission and apology - known as the Kono Statement - he has made clear his distaste and undermined it with an investigation of the evidence used.

China on Monday responded to Abe's remarks by urging the country to remain consistent in its words and actions, and to have a correct understanding about its history of aggression.

"Only by honestly facing up to history can Japan have a future," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a news briefing. "We hope Japan will be consistent in its words and actions, have a correct ­understanding and attitude toward its history of aggression, and abide by its statements and promises regarding history."