TOKYO — The Japanese government is appealing to countries in Asia and Europe to skip ceremonies in China next month commemorating the end of World War II, local media reported Sunday.
“Japan conveyed to other nations through its embassies abroad that China’s commemorative events have anti-Japanese overtones, and that the participation of leaders should be carefully considered,” said the Kyodo News report, without providing additional about its anonymous sources.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of the report but will not comment on discussions with other countries that involve diplomatic matters, an official with the ministry’s Fist China and Mongolia Division said by phone Monday.
Some Japanese government officials must speak to the media without providing their names.
China’s ceremonies and military parades are slated for Sept. 3. It plans a series of events with the theme of “80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese aggression” and the “World Anti-Fascist War.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the commemoration and military parade in Tianjin after appearing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit hosted by China on Sunday and Monday, according to Kyodo.
Japan and other major western countries did not take part in China’s 2015 parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the war’s end, the report said.
