Merkel tells Japan to look squarely at history

Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel here on Monday said that facing up to history is the precondition of her country's return to the international community.

Making the statement at a speech organized by the liberal- leaning Asahi newspaper in Tokyo, Merkel said the war is the bitter memory of Germany and her country will never forget the history, adding the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII is significant for both Germany and Japan.

Her comments come as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to deliver a statement later this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. There is speculation that Abe may water down Japan's 1995 landmark apology over its aggression.

When asked about how could Japan resolve confrontation over historical issues with China and South Korea, the German leader only said that Germany has looked squarely at history, especially the Holocaust, and that's the reason why her country was accepted by the international community.

Local reports analyzed that Germany concerns Japan's right- leaning politics as the major European country expressed caution against Abe's visit to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine in December 2013.

Merkel kicked off her first visit to Japan in seven years on Monday. She will hold talks with Abe later in the day. Endi