Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to sidestep his controversial remarks on his definition of “invasion” in regards to Japan’s historical past.

Before Japan’s Budget Committee of the House of Councilors on Wednesday, Abe said that he will not be involved in discussing the matter as a politician.

Abe said that his Cabinet agrees with its predecessors that Japan had brought about great damage and sufferings to Asians.

Last month, Abe said that the definition of the word "invasion" in Japan’s apologetic "Murayama statement" for its past destructive action is not certain and its interpretation is only perspective-dependent.

Abe’s latest comment is seen as a move to calm the situation as South Korea and China are infuriated by his remarks, which the two neighboring countries interpreted as a denial of Japan's past invasions during World War Two.