QUOTE
Japan denies 'direct' apology to Beijing
Compiled from staff, Kyodo reports
Japan denied Monday that Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura used direct words of apology for Japan's wartime aggression when he met with Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing over the weekend.
According to Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi, Machimura told Li that Japan's stance on its wartime history remains unchanged, referring to a 1995 statement issued by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama offering Japan's "heartfelt apologies" over its past aggression in China.
But Machimura did not use words of apology at the talks as is reported in China, Yachi told a news conference.
Earlier in the day, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Machimura expressed Japan's "deep apologies" when Li pressed Tokyo to take measures to atone for its past military aggression during their talks on Sunday.
The Chinese statement did not mention the anti-Japan riots sweeping China.
According to the statement, Li told Machimura in talks Sunday at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse that he hoped Japan would "correctly" view that period of history, consider relevant promises it has made to China since then and take specific measures accordingly.
Li asked that Japan not take actions that again hurt the Chinese people, adding that Japan must settle issues pertaining to history before Sino-Japanese relations can develop or improve.
The ministry said Machimura told Li he was "deeply hurt" by what he described as great harm done to the Chinese people in the past.
"Again, he expressed deep reflection and apologies," it says. "The Japanese side draws deeply from its historical lessons and will continue to take a road to peace and development."
At a news briefing Sunday night, a Japanese official gave no indication that Machimura had made such an apology.
The Japan Times: April 19, 2005
© All rights reserved
Compiled from staff, Kyodo reports
Japan denied Monday that Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura used direct words of apology for Japan's wartime aggression when he met with Chinese counterpart Li Zhaoxing over the weekend.
According to Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi, Machimura told Li that Japan's stance on its wartime history remains unchanged, referring to a 1995 statement issued by then Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama offering Japan's "heartfelt apologies" over its past aggression in China.
But Machimura did not use words of apology at the talks as is reported in China, Yachi told a news conference.
Earlier in the day, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Machimura expressed Japan's "deep apologies" when Li pressed Tokyo to take measures to atone for its past military aggression during their talks on Sunday.
The Chinese statement did not mention the anti-Japan riots sweeping China.
According to the statement, Li told Machimura in talks Sunday at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse that he hoped Japan would "correctly" view that period of history, consider relevant promises it has made to China since then and take specific measures accordingly.
Li asked that Japan not take actions that again hurt the Chinese people, adding that Japan must settle issues pertaining to history before Sino-Japanese relations can develop or improve.
The ministry said Machimura told Li he was "deeply hurt" by what he described as great harm done to the Chinese people in the past.
"Again, he expressed deep reflection and apologies," it says. "The Japanese side draws deeply from its historical lessons and will continue to take a road to peace and development."
At a news briefing Sunday night, a Japanese official gave no indication that Machimura had made such an apology.
The Japan Times: April 19, 2005
© All rights reserved