Japan tried to calm an international furore today over forcing Asian women to work in military brothels during the Second World War, saying the government stood by an earlier landmark apology.

A top politician today urged Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to reconsider his annual visit to a controversial war shrine, warning it could damage Japan’s already strained relations with China.

Former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui arrived in Japan today on a trip that marked a diplomatic coup for the isolated island but threatened to exacerbate tense relations between Japan and China.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori has expressed his intention to resign in a meeting with ruling party leaders.

Europe is sending to £1.27m in emergency aid to provide shelter, clean water and sanitation to victims of the El Salvador earthquake.