Quotable

"We speak positively of the comment by the UN chief. Preserving historical justice and urging Japan to face up to and reflect on its aggressive past is the unanimous call of the international community."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei in response on Wednesday to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks that Japanese leaders should face up to the past. On Monday, Ban urged Japan's leaders to conduct "very deep introspection" with particular reference to its plans to revise its pacifist Constitution.