The government has filed a protest against China¡¯s applications to have what it says are historical documents on the 1937 Nanking Massacre and Japan¡¯s wartime ¡°comfort women¡± brothel system registered in the U.N. archive program, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday.

During his daily news conference, Suga lashed out at Beijing for ¡°politically exploiting¡± sensitive historical issues ¡°when Japan and China need to make efforts to improve the bilateral relationship.¡±

Beijing ¡°is trying to unnecessarily play up (the two issues). It¡¯s extremely regrettable,¡± Suga said. ¡°We filed a protest and requested (Beijing) to withdraw the application.¡±