Critics say textbooks 'whitewash' history

A Japanese city yesterday adopted for use in its schools a history textbook critics say whitewashes Tokyo's militaristic past, a decision likely to further chill ties with China and South Korea.

The education board of the city of Otawara in Tochigi Prefecture, 150km north of Tokyo, became the first municipal government to adopt The New History Textbook, written by nationalistic scholars for junior high schools.