In a meeting Monday with his visiting Dutch counterpart, Willem Kok, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi expressed Japan's "deep remorse and a heartfelt apology" for Dutch victims of World War II, a Foreign Ministry official said. Kok said that although the events of history cannot be undone, the two nations now have many opportunities to cooperate closely in diverse fields in the 21st century, the official said. The two leaders agreed to start the new century with renewed resolve to achieve future-oriented cooperation, based on the sound ties that have linked the nations for the better part of 400 years, the official said. When Japan invaded Southeast Asia during World War II, many Dutch nationals were taken captive, especially in the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia. The two leaders reaffirmed at their meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence that Japan and the Netherlands will expand the scope of their cooperation by jointly tackling diverse global issues. Their plans for an enhanced partnership cover such issues as free trade, reform of the United Nations and global disarmament, the official said. Kok's visit to Japan is to mark the 400th anniversary of Japan-Netherlands ties; the first Dutch boat moored off the coast of Japan in 1600. A number of exhibitions, concerts and other events are being held in both countries this year to commemorate the relationship. Kok arrived in Japan on Sunday on a three-day visit. Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias Van Aarsten also arrived here Monday for talks with his counterpart, Yohei Kono, today.
