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More Japanese lawmakers worship notorious shrine in 68th surrender anniversary

Source: Xinhua | August 15, 2013, Thursday | Online Edition

About 90 Japanese lawmakers paid visit to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine today, the 68th anniversary of Japan's surrender in the World War II, following two cabinet members who worshipped the shrine earlier the day.

Sanae Takaichi, policy chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Takeo Hiranuma, deputy head of the Japan Restoration Party, were among the 90 lawmakers.

"People in countries in the world mourn the loss of those who died for their countries and pay respect," said the LDP policy chief.

The Yasukuni Shrine honors 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals in the World War II, and is considered as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

Earlier the day, Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshitaka Shindo and Keiji Furuya, chairman of national public safety commission and state minister in Charge of Abduction Issue, also visited the controversial shrine.

They came to the shrine successively during 8:00-9:00 am, and left after about 15-minute visits.

Shindo told reporters in the shrine that he visited as a "private person," not as a state minister, while Furuya worshipped the shrine as state minister.

Shinjirou Koizumi, son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, also visited the shrine in the morning.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was represented by his aide Koichi Hagiuda, made an offering to the shrine as the head of the LDP.

Haguida said Abe regretted that he is "unable to make a visit" on the day. Abe's decision to skip the visit was out of the concern that he said may spark opposition from China and South Korea.

China has expressed a strong protest and condemnation regarding the visits. China's Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin summoned Japanese Ambassador to China Masato Kitera and lodged solemn representation over the issue, according to a spokesman from the ministry.

Repeated visits to the controversial shrine by Japanese leaders and lawmakers have become a major obstacle for Japan to mend ties with its neighbors, especially China and South Korea, which suffered from Japan's invasion during World War II.

There is irrefutable evidence that Japanese militarism was responsible for crimes of aggression during World War II. Only by looking squarely at and reflecting on its history can Japan develop a real sense of friendly and cooperative relations with Asian neighbors.

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