A Japanese civil group criticized Saturday a newly approved history textbook for its whitewashing of Japan's war-time atrocity.

At a gathering in Tokyo, members of the Parents Organization of Suginami said the textbook glossed over Japan's colonial rule and aggression in other Asian countries.

"The textbook glorifies the aggression war," said

Midori Arayama, "It not only tries to justify the intrusion into China, but also puts Japan on a superior position over its neighbors. If our kids are imparted with the content of the textbook, they are bound to find themselves isolated from the international community in the future."

The textbook compiled by a group of right-wing editors cleared Japan's education department in April. The group accused the government of giving a green light to the biased book despite fierce opposition from other Asian countries.

Backed by Mayor Hiroshi Yamada, the educational committee of the Suginami District is expected to approve the textbook for use in middle schools.

Group members decided at Saturday's gathering to launch a massive street signing campaign on May 4 to seek support and prevent the adoption of the textbook in the district.

The group said in a statement that the purpose of studying history is to eschew past mistake, warning the problematic textbook would send Japan's younger generation back to battlefield.

"The inappropriate description of history in the book deprives our children not only of their thinking ability, but also their future to peacefully get along with neighboring countries," the statement noted.

The Japanese government screens textbooks every four years.

In 2001, the group successfully held back the adoption of the textbook in community schools by enlisting up to 12,500 supporters.