The Textbook Authorization Council approved requests Wednesday by textbook publishers to reinstate references to the military's role in forcing civilians to commit mass suicide during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa.
Education chief Kisaburo Tokai said in a statement following the decision that his ministry "will respect the opinion of the council and make a decision promptly to approve the requests."
The revised history textbooks for high schools will be used in the 2008 academic year, which starts in April.