Condolences sent over ex-Japanese PM’s death

The Chinese government offered condolences on Jan 14 on the passing of former Japanese prime minister Toshiki Kaifu. According to a statement by Japan’s House of Representatives, Kaifu, 91, died on Jan 9 from natural causes.

“Mr Toshiki Kaifu made positive contributions to improving relations between China and Japan during his term as prime minister and had continued to support friendly cooperation between the two countries after he stepped down,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said. “We express deep condolences over his passing and extend sincere sympathy to his family.”

In August 2000, Kaifu visited China’s Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, where he laid a wreath and observed a moment of silence for the dead, making him one of the few Japanese leaders to face up to the dark history of Japan’s past atrocity.