China condemned as ignorant and arrogant on Tuesday comments by a Japanese politician who blamed the United States for Japan's entry into World War II.

The angry retort to remarks by former Japanese Defence Minister Hosei Norota followed a rebuke by South Korea, and criticism of Norota's comments from Japan's main opposition Democratic Party.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said Norota's arguments were absurd and "reflect the ignorance and arrogance of some Japanese regarding questions of history".

"It has made people more alert to similar political tendencies inside Japan," Zhu said, referring to fears in China of a revival of Japanese militarism.

The comments by Norota, chairman of the Budget Committee of the powerful Lower House of parliament, were expected to anger other countries across Asia invaded by Japan's Imperial Army in the 1930s and 1940s.

They also have exacerbated the problems of embattled Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

Norota was quoted as telling supporters of the dominant Liberal Democratic Party on Sunday "Japan had no choice but to venture out southward to secure natural resources" because of an international oil embargo.

"In other words, Japan had fallen prey to a scheme of the United States. This is what many historians are saying," he said in remarks reminiscent of the justification used by Japanese militarists in the 1930s.

Zhu said Japanese militarism "was a profound disaster for all the victims in Asia". "The evil acts are too numerous to record and cannot be denied," he said.

Periodic remarks by Japanese politicians glossing over Japan's wartime atrocities stir up old hatred in China and keep the relationship between the Asian neighbours on edge.

A senior official in Japan's main opposition Democratic Party, Hirotaka Akamatsu, told reporters Norota's remarks were "erroneous, irresponsible and anachronistic", Kyodo news agency said.

The Democrats and three other opposition parties -- already out to topple the unpopular Mori -- were considering whether to submit a no-confidence motion against Norota.

Mori already faces the biggest crisis of his 10-month rule and there is mounting talk he will have to resign next month.

(China Daily 02/20/2001)