Beijing slams Takaichi's remarks for blurring war crimes

China has condemned Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's address at the National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead, saying her remarks shunned reflection on historical lessons and blurred Japan's responsibility for its acts of aggression.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made the comment on Monday at a regular news briefing following Takaichi's speech at the ceremony held in Tokyo over the weekend.

Takaichi avoided the words "remorse" and "lessons learned", spoke ambiguously about Japan's war crimes, and attempted to turn back the wheel of history, Lin said.

"This once again exposes the sinister attempt of the Takaichi administration to cover up, distort and reverse the verdict on Japan's history of aggression, which has drawn strong condemnation and widespread opposition from all parties," he said.

On the day marking Japan's defeat and surrender in World War II on Saturday, Takaichi made a monetary offering to the "shrine honoring war criminals", while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and other senior officials and politicians went to pay homage in person, Lin said.

Such moves have further heightened the vigilance of Asian neighbors and the international community over Japan's future trajectory, he said.

Lin cited Japanese observers as saying that a country unable to reflect on its past cannot earn trust, and that the defense minister's actions amount to supporting the war of aggression.

As this year marks the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, Lin underscored the importance of fostering a correct view on history.

"Only by facing up to history and drawing lessons from it can people avoid repeating mistakes made in the past and straying down the wrong path again," he said.

"We once again urge the Japanese authorities to listen earnestly to the voices of justice from within Japan and the international community, deeply reflect on their war crimes, and make a complete break with militarism, rather than going further down the wrong path," he added.