A group of Japanese scholars is urging Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to issue an apology on the country's behalf to Asian nations that suffered greatly during the second world war.

At a press conference, the academics said Abe's visit to Pearl Harbor was politically motivated as it aims to enhance Tokyo's alliance with Washington. Abe is criticized for taking advantage of the memory of the deceased. 

"China, South Korea, Malaysia and other Asian countries suffered the most from Japan's invasions during the war," said Takakage Fujita, president of Association of Inheriting and Carrying Forward Murayama Danwa. 

"The key is whether Abe will go to these places and wholeheartedly mourn and apologize, instead of thinking that going to Pearl Harbor is enough. Abe's view of history is twisted and dangerous. I'm very critical of him lowering his head to the US, but not willing to do the same to Asia."

"He was thinking of the relationship between Japan and the US. This time I did not detect any intention from Prime Minister Abe to pay visits and apologize for Japan's aggression in Asia, especially in China," said professor Aiko Utsumi, Keisen University.