Abe announced the study, to be conducted by Japan's ruling party, earlier this week. The China Daily said the move threatened to revise a 1993 statement that admitted the Japanese military's role in setting up the brothels.

"Abe's approach to restoring pride in Japan amounts to sheer denial of the horrific suffering of the sex slaves," the newspaper said in an editorial.

Abe has stirred anger in Asia with remarks that appeared to question the state's role in forcing women to work in the brothels during World War Two, although he has said the 1993 statement acknowledging coercion remained in effect.

But the China Daily said Japan would be a more "mature country" if it sought reconciliation through another official apology.

"Japan needs to recognise that the only way to deal with the issue is to disclose all documentation, admit government responsibility and pay appropriate compensation," it said.