German Chancellor Angela Merkel, referring to her own country's experience, reminded Japan on Monday of the need to confront squarely its wartime past.

The polite reminder comes as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe prepares to issue a statement marking the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.

The statement will be watched closely by Beijing and Seoul, which suffered under Japanese militarism, as well as Tokyo's close ally, Washington.