Japanese Foreign Ministry's spokesman Numata Sadaaki said in Tokyo January 19 that Japanese troops' killing and looting acts in Nanjing in those years are undeniable facts.

Sadaaki said this when interviewed by a Xinhua correspondent. He said, "the Japanese government knows that there exist various disputes over the 'Nanjing incident', the acts of killing noncombatants and looting by old Japanese troops after their entry into Nanjing are undeniable facts, this understanding of the government is different from that held by the organization wanting to hold a rally."

He emphasized, "the Japanese government's idea about its understanding of history is just like what Prime Minister Tomii Chi Murama indicated in his talks given on August 15, 1995, i.e., 'our country's practice of colonial rule and aggression in a not too distant past period of time has brought enormous harm and suffering to the people of many countries, especially Asian nations. We have accepted this historical fact. Here I would like to once again express our deep self-examination and heartfelt apology.' Thus far, this idea of the Japanese government remains unchanged." Sadaaki added, "the Osaka government and Osaka City fully comprehend this understanding of the Japanese government which, on its part, also understands the expression given by the Osaka government and Osaka City which deem it important to conduct friendly exchange with China."

After the spread of the news about Japan's Osaka International Peace Center's approval of the Right-wing forces to hold a rally denying the Nanjing Massacre, it aroused the righteous indignation and close concern of the Chinese side and Japan's justice-upholding media. Under this circumstance, the Xinhua correspondent made an interview with Numata Sadaaki.