Anger over Abe offering to war shrine in Japan
Print Edition
JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday sent a ritual offering to a war shrine in Tokyo, triggering angry criticism from China and South Korea.
His offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on the 69th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II still angered South Korea and China, where bitter memories linger of Japan’s brutal actions during the war.
Abe visited the shrine which honors 14 Class-A Japanese war criminals last December, sharply chilling ties with China and South Korea. By sending an offering, Abe appeared to be trying not to worsen tensions with both nations while upholding a conservative ideology that takes a less apologetic tone toward Japan’s wartime past.
Koichi Hagiuda, an Abe aide and lawmaker, presented the ritual offering, which was made in Abe’s name as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
China criticized Abe’s offering as well as the visits by the other Japanese cabinet members to the shrine, saying it “resolutely opposes” the commemoration.
“The Yasukuni Shrine is a symbol and spiritual tool of Japanese militarism,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
“The core of all the issues surrounding the Yasukuni Shrine is whether the Japanese government can own up to and adopt a correct attitude towards its history of aggression.”
“Only when Japan earnestly faces up to and deeply reflects on its history of aggression and completely makes a clean break from militarism, can it be possible for Sino-Japanese relations to achieve a healthy and stable development,” Hua said.
Tokyo had hoped that by staying away, Abe would send a signal to China of his desire to ease tensions and help pave the way for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
South Korea also condemned Abe over the offering, demanding Japanese politicians confess their country’s wartime crimes.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye said the actions of some Japanese politicians were splitting the two nations.
“Our government has urged Japanese leaders to correctly recognise history.” she said.
“The relationship between South Korea and Japan can be developed steadily when Japan solves these matters in the proper way,” she added.
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