SINGAPORE - Singapore on Friday welcomed an apology by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi for his country's wartime aggression but criticized Tokyo for its "rather strange interpretation" of World War II in history textbooks.
"We welcome Prime Minister Koizumi's apology to countries which suffered Japanese aggression during the Pacific War. It is in the interest of Japan and all these countries to build upon this positive action of the Japanese prime minister," a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said in a statement.
"We hope that this statement will begin a process that will stabilize relations between Japan, China and Korea. This is in the interest of the entire region."
Koizumi's remarks at the Asia-Africa Summit in Jakarta is Japan's most public apology in a decade for its wartime aggression.
"Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility. And with feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology always engraved in mind, Japan has resolutely maintained, consistently since the end of World War II, never turning into a military power but an economic power," he said.
Japan has apologised numerous times for its World War II conduct, but Friday's remarks carry added importance with Tokyo seeking to resolve a spat with Beijing sparked by its approval of a nationalist textbook that downplays Japan's wartime atrocities.
Earlier Friday, a Singapore foreign ministry spokesman issued a separate statement criticizing Japan over the textbooks.
"It is unfortunate that the textbook authorities in Japan had chosen to approve this rather strange interpretation of the Pacific War in Asia," the spokesman said in response to media queries.
"It has strained relations between Japan and its neighbours, in particular China and Korea. This is not in the interest of the entire region."
Singapore is a former British colony occupied by Japanese forces during World War II. It now has close economic, cultural and political ties with Japan, but older Singaporeans still remember Japanese war atrocities here.
"History should not be denied. But we hope that the countries concerned can keep emotions in check and work towards a solution," the ministry spokesman said.
Tensions flared between China and Japan in recent weeks, with a series of violent anti-Japanese protests erupting in major Chinese cities after the Japanese government approved the controversial textbooks for Japanese students.
04/22/2005 11:50 GMT