Australia praises Japan's apology to South Korea

Australia on Wednesday welcomed Japan's apology to South Korea for its harsh colonial rule when Japan annexed Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on Tuesday expressed his " feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for the tremendous damage and suffering brought by the colonial rule".

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith praised the apology.

In a statement, Smith said it was "a welcome step that Australia hopes will help to ensure the continued development of stronger relations between Japan and South Korea - two of Australia's most important economic, security and strategic partners".

Japan is Australia's second-largest export market, followed by South Korea.

South Korea has given a guarded welcome to the apology, saying it expects all Japanese people to share Kan's views.

Source: Xinhua