Japan FM apologises for colonial rule over Korea

Asian Defense News: SEOUL (AFP) February 12 - – Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada made a strongly-worded apology Thursday for his country's "tragic" 20th century colonisation of Korea, saying his government would not ignore history.
"I think it was a tragic incident for Koreans when they were deprived of their nation and identity," he told a press conference after talks with his South Korean counterpart Yu Myung-Hwan.
"I can fully understand the feelings of Koreans and I believe we must never forget such victims," Okada said.
The two countries, he said, should make a "meaningful turning point" in relations this year, the 100th anniversary of Japan's occupation which lasted until its wartime defeat in 1945.
Okada said his government "will look forward to the future without looking away from past history and sincerely develop a future-oriented relationship between Japan and South Korea".
South Korean officials have also said Okada's trip would mark the beginning of efforts by both countries to put the past behind them.
Yu said they would build a more forward-looking and friendly relationship while making sincere efforts to address thorny disputes of the past.
They would push for regular summits between President Lee Myung-Bak and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
Japan has often been criticised by its neighbours for glossing over atrocities before and during World War II.
Hatoyama has sought to ease tensions by pledging not to visit a Tokyo war shrine at the centre of past rows.
Some older Koreans have bitter memories of the colonial period when Japan ruthlessly suppressed resistance movements and tried to eradicate Korean culture, even forcing people at one point to change their names.
Ties have also been strained by Japan's reasserted claims over a tiny chain of Seoul-controlled islands known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan.