Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said here Friday that his government is considering issuing a new statement on war-related history while maintaining the Murayama Statement.

Abe made the remark at a lower house regular session and said the new statement will be future-oriented and appropriate to the new circumstances.

The act may lead to concerns from its neighboring countries such as China and South Korea, which thought Abe's policy is more hawkish and right-deviated.

Meanwhile, Abe reiterated the importance of Japan-China relationship, calling it one of Japan's most important bilateral ties.

The prime minister said the Japan-China relations should be improved through an overall perspective and both sides should maintain contact in various areas, including the political sphere. Endi