Japan's Asian neighbours have joined in the controversy over a new history textbook that they say tries to justify Japan's aggressions in the 1930s and 1940s. Chinese president Jiang Zemin and foreign minister Tang Jiaxuan urged Japan last week not to accept the controversial book, currently being screened for use by students aged 11 to 15. "The political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations will be safeguarded only if the Japanese government handles the issue appropriately," Tang said.

The screening panel appointed by Japan's education ministry has already requested 137 revisions in the book's draft.