Japan’s ruling camp is reportedly strongly against the idea of Prime Minister Naoto Kan issuing a statement on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Japan’s annexation of Korea on August 29th.

Japan’s NHK said Wednesday that Kan is preparing to issue a statement on the anniversary that expresses Japan’s apologies for its past colonial rule.

However, the issuance of the statement is expected to face opposition due to rising calls within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to exercise caution on the matter.

DPJ lawmakers who are particularly opposed to the prime minister making a statement said that such a move could run counter to the 1965 Treaty of Basic Relations between South Korea and Japan and could influence a dispute regarding compensation for conscripted Korean laborers under Japan’s colonial rule.