Japan urged to face up to history of aggression

China urged Japan on Monday to face up to and show remorse for its history of aggression, and handle matters such as the "comfort women" issue in an honest and responsible manner.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remarks after Japan's education ministry reportedly approved five publishers' plans to change the term for wartime sex slaves and remove the expression "forced conscription" in reference to those forced to work against their will.

Tokyo's approval of the envisioned changes in textbooks came about five months after its Cabinet decided that textbooks could refer to victims of wartime sexual slavery as "comfort women", instead of "military comfort women".

The forced recruitment of "comfort women" was a grave crime against humanity committed by Japanese militarism, which is an undeniable historical fact with ironclad evidence, Zhao noted.

Again, Japan juggles with words to blur historical facts and downplay its guilt and responsibility as part of efforts to deny and whitewash its history of aggression, he said.

This highlights Japan's longstanding dishonest attitude toward its history of aggression, which once again hurts the feelings of the people of the victimized countries, Zhao said.

All peace-loving people will never allow such a decision, he said, adding that the international community needs to challenge it.

"We urge Japan to make a clear break with militarism, and win the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community with concrete actions," he added.