The coercion of women into prostitution was "one of the key, serious crimes committed by Japanese imperial soldiers," said ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

"We hope that Japan can show courage, take a responsible attitude toward history," he said during a regular news briefing.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sparked outrage across Asia last week when he disavowed his country's responsibility for forcing Asian women into military brothels for Japanese troops during the war.

On Monday Abe said Japan will not apologize again for the "comfort stations" and his government chief spokesman said Thursday that the prime minister's remarks had been misinterpreted and misrepresented by the US media.

Chief Cabinet spokesman Yasuhisa Shiozaki did not cite any specific reports but said Tokyo would soon issue a rebuttal.

Historians say as many as 200,000 women - mostly from Korea, China, Southeast Asia and Japan - worked in the Japanese military brothels throughout Asia in the 1930s and '40s.

Japanese documents have shown that the military had a direct role in running the brothels, which the government had previously denied.

The US Congress is considering a resolution demanding a formal apology from Japan.

Abe's remarks come weeks before a scheduled visit to Tokyo by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in April. The two powers have recently enjoyed warming ties but the controversy could hamper efforts to reduce tensions over ongoing territorial disputes and interpretations of wartime history.

"The issue bears on the image of Japan," Qin said. "The proper solution of the issue is an important foundation for the improvement and development of China-Japan relations."