March 10, 2015

"Japanese media and public on Tuesday urged Prime MinisterShinzo Abe to face up to history squarely, citing German Chancellor Angela Merkel's words"facing World War II crimes is key to reconciliation"during a lecture in Tokyo.

As the lecture's sponsor, the Asahi Shimbun reported Tuesday that"It's a surprise that Merkel, who is always cautious in speech, to mention history problem directly when visiting Japan." "Given the progress of the summit, Japan and German have different opinions in historical recognition,"the newspaper said, adding"Merkel referred to German's own experience, but Abe did not respond accordingly." "Merkel cited the late German President Richard Von Weizsaecker' s famous 1985 speech in which he called the end of WWII in Europe a'day of liberation,'showing clearly that confront history squarely is the precondition for German to be accepted by international community,"head of Seigakuin University Kang Sang- jung said."

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-03/10/c_134055672.htm