Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) is greeted by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upon her arrival at Abe's official residence in Tokyo March 9, 2015. Merkel, referring to Germany's own experience, reminded Japan on Monday of the need to squarely confront its wartime past but also signaled that neighboring countries must do their part to achieve reconciliation. The polite reminder comes as Abe is preparing to issue a statement to mark the 70th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two, the legacy of which still plagues Tokyo's ties with China and South Korea. REUTERS/Shizuo Kambayashi/Pool (JAPAN - Tags: POLITICS)