Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed "deep repentance" over Japan's role in World War Two during a historic address to the US Congress, the BBC reported on Thursday.

He offered his "profound respect" and "eternal condolences" for US soldiers who died in the conflict.

Mr Abe said he had visited the World War Two memorial in Washington and reflected upon the 400,000 American troops who died with "deep repentance in my heart".

Mr Abe also acknowledged that Japan had "brought suffering to the peoples in Asian countries", adding: "We must not avert our eyes from that."