In this page from a textbook for Japanese high schools that passed an evaluation by the country's related commission on March 30, 2021, is seen Dokdo Island (in a red circle) as part of the Japanese territory. Yonhap

North Korea on Sunday blasted Japan for approving history textbooks that distort history and glorify Tokyo's imperial past.

The North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) noted that those school textbooks have left out details of Japanese atrocities during its colonial period while also renewing territorial claims to Dokdo, South Korea's easternmost islets.

"The textbooks define Japanese invasions as a step toward civilization and prosperity," the KCNA said. "Japan has established foreign invasions as the basis of its military strategy, and will do anything to accomplish its goals."

The KCNA added that Japan, by "shamelessly" distorting history, is trying to instill in young students spirits of militarism and lay the foundation for realizing its old dreams of building an economic and military bloc in East Asia with Japan in charge.