China on Monday urged those in power in Japan to face up to history, deeply reflect on Japan's historical guilt and make a complete break with militarism.

People gather around the parliament building to protest attempts of the government of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to revise the country's pacifist constitution and to call for the protection of Article 9 in Tokyo, Japan, April 19, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks during a regular press briefing in Beijing when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's address at the National Memorial Service for the War Dead on Saturday.

Lin said Takaichi neglected to reflect on historical lessons and blurred Japan's responsibility for its acts of aggression in her speech, taking a major step backward on historical issues. This once again lays bare the sinister attempt of the Takaichi administration to cover up, distort and reverse Japan's history of aggression, he said.

Lin added that Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II, while Japan's defense minister and other senior officials and politicians paid visits to the shrine, further heightening concerns among Japan's Asian neighbors and the international community about the country's direction.

"This year marks the 81st anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials. Only by facing history squarely and drawing lessons from it can Japan avoid repeating past mistakes and going astray again," Lin said.

"We once again urge Japanese leaders to seriously heed the voices of justice at home and from the international community, deeply reflect on Japan's historical guilt, make a complete break with militarism, and refrain from going further down the wrong path," he added.

(Compiled by Wang Jingyu; Edited by Yang Yang)