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Japanese PM Koizumi Apologizes to Chinese People (10/08/2001)
2004-06-12 15:14
Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Monday expressed introspection into the war, an apology and mourning for those Chinese people who died during the war.

Koizumi made the remarks while visiting the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression.

The hall is near the Lugou (Marco Polo) Bridge, some 15 kilometers southwest of Beijing, where the eight-year War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression started on July 7, 1937.

Koizumi also stated that he, as prime minister of Japan, will devote himself to the development of Japan-China friendly relations.


Japanese PM Lays Wreath at War Memorial Hall
Junichiro Koizumi laid a wreath at the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in southwest Beijing to show mourning to those Chinese people who died during the war.

He is the first Japanese Prime Minister to have laid a wreath at the hall.

In May 1995, the then Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama also visited the hall.

The hall is located near the Lugou (Marco Polo) Bridge, where the eight-year War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression started on July 7, 1937.


Japanese PM Writes on Visitor's Book at War Memorial Hall
Junichiro Koizumi Monday wrote on the visitor's book at the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, asking for forgiveness.

The characters written by Koizumi are: "Zhong Shu." He explained that the words mean pleading for sympathy, understanding and forgiveness.



Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression

Located in a town near the Lugou (Marco Polo) Bridge, some 15 kilometers southwest of Beijing, the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was open to the public in July 1987 to mark the 50th anniversary of the resistance war.
On July 7, 1937, Japanese military forces attacked the Chinese garrison at the Lugou (Marco Polo) Bridge. That day also marked the beginning of the Chinese people's heroic war of resistance against Japanese aggression.
Covering an area of 30,000 square meters, the hall consists of three parts including a data center and a main exhibition hall.
Some 1,000 relic items, dating from the "September 18 Incident" of 1931 to the final victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in 1945, are on display in the hall.
Some evidence revealing the Japanese aggressors' atrocities including their mass slaughter of Chinese people are also exhibited there.
Up to now, the memorial hall has received over 13 million visitors from home and abroad.
In May 1995, then Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama visited the hall.

People's Daily(10/08/2001)


 
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