The chairman of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), Yukio Hatoyama, says the incoming Japanese government has the courage to look directly into history with regard to its colonial rule of Korea.

Japan's incoming prime minister told South Korea’s ambassador to Japan Kwon Chul Hyun that Tokyo’s relationship with Seoul is one of Japan’s closest.

Hatoyama went on to say that a change in government power may not be the ultimate solution, but he will strive to steer diplomacy in the right direction.

He said the two countries should seek close cooperation in the international arena based on shared values.

Kwon invited the incoming prime minister to visit Seoul, to which Hatoyama said he would check is diplomatic schedule.