Pyongyang, September 11 (KCNA) -- The improvement of the DPRK-Japan relations is a top priority issue in Japan's foreign policy. Core in solving the issue is for Japan to redress its past.

The crimes committed by Japan in Korea in the first half of the last century were hideous crimes against humanity unprecedented in history. Japan's redemption of its past is not just an issue of settling old debts between states.

Rodong Sinmun Sunday says this in a by-lined article.

Japan's brazenfaced act of persistently denying and whitewashing its past crimes is as foolish as smearing one's face with ink, the article notes, and goes on:

Japan can never have bright future unless it redeems its past.

The international community is not pleased with Japan as it resorts to a trick to evade the redress for its past at any cost.

World different parliaments adopted resolutions denouncing Japan's past war crimes including the issue of the "comfort women" for the Imperial Japanese Army and demanding its apology and reparation for them.

Organizations formed to denounce Japan's past crimes and demand their settlement are active in many countries of the world.

Voices demanding the authorities make prompt redress for Japan's past are also heard in Japan.

Without the redress for the past Japan can not have its say nor can it save its face. If Japan persistently evades the redemption of its past, there will be neither the improvement of the DPRK-Japan relations nor the bright future of Japan.

The hostile relations persisting between the two countries with a sea in between will not be in the interests of Japan.