Hatoyama Yukio, head of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), said Wednesday that Japan should sincerely reflect on the history of the wars of aggression against China in the 20th century.
In a speech at the People's University of China, Yukio said the wars against China brought enormous tragedy to the Chinese people.
"Japan should face up to the facts of that period with courage, " he said.
Dodging the history will do no good to the future of Japan- China relations, the Japanese statesman noted.
He said that he agrees with the proposal "taking the history as a mirror and facing the future" made by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, stressing that Japan and China should establish a constructive partnership in the next century.
The relations between Japan and China still face serious challenges, according to Yukio.
He said that the two countries should work together in the new century, adding that the Japan-China relationship plays a significant role in the prosperity and stability of east Asia. Yukio proposed in his speech that Japan and China strengthen cooperation on environmental protection, information technology, and maintaining peace and stability in the region.
(Xinhua 12/13/2000)
