On August 15, DP President Renho issued the following statement.
On this 72nd anniversary of the end of World War II, alongside the citizens of Japan, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to all the victims of the conflict both at home and abroad.
The WWII inflicted enormous damage and hardship on the people of many countries, and particularly Asian countries, as a result of colonial domination and aggression. We vow to renew our determination that the same mistakes must not be made twice, and to convey this to future generations. 
After the war, Japan devoted all its efforts to reconstructing its ravaged country in order to build a free, peaceful and prosperous democratic nation on the basis of the pacifism of the Constitution. Simultaneously, Japan made unique contributions to the prosperity and development of various countries and the peace and stability of the international community through economic cooperation, humanitarian aid, PKOs and other initiatives. I am convinced that the path Japan followed after the war is the correct one and we should be proud of that.
As we commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the end of World War II, Japan stands at a major crossroads of this era. Attempts are being made to threaten the constitutionalism and pacifism that Japanese citizens have continued to foster and protect since the end of World War II. The Abe administration is attempting to permit the unrestrained use of the right to collective self-defense by opportunistically changing the interpretation of the Constitution, and is plunging ahead with making the Constitution one that disregards constitutionalism and pacifism.
Based on the lessons and remorse of the WWII, the Democratic Party vows to build a country that exercises restraint in the use of force under the Constitution’s pacifism, a country that respects constitutionalism, and where freedom and democracy are safeguarded. Japan will also contribute to the creation of a new peaceful order in the world, without being a bystander. The Democratic Party hereby declares its determination to make every effort to ensure that Japan coordinates and cooperates with the international community to deal strictly with moves that threaten world peace, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, and is able to pursue reconciliation with other Asian countries.