Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura has expressed regret that a monument symbolizing Japan's wartime action was set up in front of its embassy in Seoul.

Fujimura told reporters on Wednesday that Japan had asked South Korea to block the move through diplomatic channels. He says it will now do the same to have the monument removed.

Fujimura added that the latest development will not affect the upcoming visit by President Lee Myung-bak, saying he has not been informed of any changes to the schedule.

He said Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is likely to refer to the matter only as a difficult pending issue between the 2 countries in their meeting, as the 2 leaders have many issues to discuss.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111214_17.html

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