Japan: 'Deep Remorse' Over WWII

(AP)  Japan's prime minister on Friday apologized for his country's World War II aggression in Asia but a Chinese official dismissed the remarks, saying "actions are more important" as Japanese lawmakers made a controversial visit to a war shrine.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's expression of "deep remorse" at a summit of Asian and African leaders in Jakarta did not go beyond what Japanese leaders previously have said.

But its delivery at the international gathering clearly was aimed at easing an escalating row with China over Tokyo's handling of its wartime atrocities and its bid for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Relations between the two Asian powers have plunged to a three-decade low, with massive anti-Japanese protests erupting in several Chinese cities in recent weeks.

"In the past Japan through its colonial rule and aggression caused tremendous damage and suffering for the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations," Koizumi said at the summit's opening ceremony. "Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility."

China's ambassador to South Korea, Li Bin, responded, however, by saying: "Of course, words are important. But I believe actions are more important."

Hours earlier, a Japanese Cabinet minister and 80 other Parliament members made a pilgrimage to a Tokyo shrine that honors executed World War II criminals along with other war dead.

"We express strong dissatisfaction over the negative actions of some Japanese politicians," China's Foreign Ministry said of the Yasukuni Shrine visit.

It called on Japan to take actions that are "more conducive to improving and developing Sino-Japanese relations," citing the "current severe situation."

A spokesman for Chinese nationalist groups that helped mobilize three weekends of sometimes violent anti-Japanese protests welcomed Koizumi's comments, calling them "a sign of some progress."

"Still, this is far, far from enough," said Lu Yunfei.

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