Japanese ministers visit controversial war shrine
Reuters
2012-10-18
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Japan's land minister and postal minister visited a controversial shrine for war dead on Thursday (October 18) in a move which could further strain relations between neighbouring China and South Korea, already tense over territorial disputes.
The two ministers' pilgrimage to the Yasukuni Shrine, seen by many in the region as a symbol of Japan's war-time militarism, came after Japan's main opposition party leader and possible next prime minister, Shinzo Abe, paid his respects there late on Wednesday (October 17).
Land minister Yuichiro Hata and postal minister Mikio Shimoji were among a group of nonpartisan lawmakers visiting the shrine during its autumn festival.
Fourteen Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal are honoured at the shrine along with other war dead.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura stressed the pilgrimage did not mean a change in government policy. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's administration has avoided all official visits to the shrine.
Sino-Japanese relations have soured sharply in the past month when a row over disputed islands led to violent anti-Japanese protests across China and badly hurt trade.
Japan's land minister and postal minister visited a controversial shrine for war dead on Thursday (October 18) in a move which could further strain relations between neighbouring China and South Korea, already tense over territorial disputes.
The two ministers' pilgrimage to the Yasukuni Shrine, seen by many in the region as a symbol of Japan's war-time militarism, came after Japan's main opposition party leader and possible next prime minister, Shinzo Abe, paid his respects there late on Wednesday (October 17).
Land minister Yuichiro Hata and postal minister Mikio Shimoji were among a group of nonpartisan lawmakers visiting the shrine during its autumn festival.
Fourteen Japanese wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal are honoured at the shrine along with other war dead.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura stressed the pilgrimage did not mean a change in government policy. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's administration has avoided all official visits to the shrine.
Sino-Japanese relations have soured sharply in the past month when a row over disputed islands led to violent anti-Japanese protests across China and badly hurt trade.
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