The Japanese government should have a correct understanding of the past history, a Vietnamese spokeswoman said.
Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh made the remarks in Hanoi Tuesday while answering a question about Vietnam' s reaction to the visit to Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
"A number of countries have expressed their worries about the issue," Thanh said, adding, "We share their worries."
Vietnam holds that a correct understanding of the past history has an important significance not only for the Japanese government itself, but also for developing and consolidating the friendly cooperation between Japan and its neighboring countries, said Thanh.
"We hope Japan will actively contribute to the peace, stability and development in the region and the world," she added.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Monday afternoon visited controversial Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine honoring Japan's war dead during the World War II, including 14 Class-A war criminals despite strong criticism at home and abroad.
(Xinhua News Agency 08/14/2001)
