BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- It will be hard for Japan to eliminate obstacles in its relations with its neighboring countries if it fails to face up to and settle its own problems,said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan here Thursday.

    Kong made the remarks in response to a reporter's question. According to the reporter, Japanese Foreign Minister Machimura Nobutaka said recently that Japan, China and the Republic of Korea(ROK) should recognize and surmount their difference in opinions toward the Yasukuni Shrine, and make efforts to build up sound relations.

    The reporter said Machimura Nobutaka also said Japan has no such history textbook which glorifies its militaristic past. China and the ROK did not point out what exactly wrong is in the textbooks compiled by the right-wing force.

    Kong said it will do no good to Japan itself if it cannot faceup to and solve its own problems on the history issue, and take an inimical attitude toward the fair concerns of the peoples of the victimized countries. Enditem