"Japan protests at S Korea's comments on emperor"
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TOKYO — Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said Wednesday he had lodged a formal protest over demands by South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak that the emperor apologize for wartime atrocities if he wants to visit.
Gemba said he could not understand why Lee had made the call, which came as the two countries face off over disputed islands in one of the worst diplomatic spats between the uneasy neighbors for several years.
“It is difficult to comprehend why President Lee made remarks like that yesterday,” Gemba told reporters.
Lee on Tuesday said Emperor Akihito would have to say sorry for past excesses if he wanted to go to South Korea.
But the comments appeared to have taken Tokyo by surprise.
“Japan has not raised the issue with the South Korean government about the emperor visiting the country,” Gemba said.
“When we face difficult issues which we need to handle calmly, any remarks or actions that incite nationalism will not benefit the interests of South Korea,” he said, adding Tokyo had lodged a protest through diplomatic routes.
Source: JapanToday.com
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