Several Japanese ministers yesterday risked provoking the anger of Japan's former military enemies by paying homage at a controversial shrine in Tokyo honouring the nation's war dead, including convicted war criminals.
Nine cabinet members, including the Justice Minister, Mr Okiharu Yasuoka, visited Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine on the 55th anniversary of Japan's second World War defeat in a move that could anger Japan's Asian neighbours.
The Prime Minister, Mr Yoshiro Mori, who caused controversy at home and abroad in May with remarks re-kindling Japanese militarism, steered clear of the shrine to avoid upsetting Asian neighbours. Mr Mori observed a one-minute silent prayer at noon with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and about 6,000 relatives of Japanese war dead and 1,000 government officials, at a separate government-sponsored ceremony.
He expressed "deep remorse" for Japan's wartime acts in Asia and condolences to war victims in neighbouring countries. "That war caused tremendous pain and sorrow not only to our country but also to people in many other countries, particularly neighbouring Asian countries," he said. "We would like to express our deep regret and condolences to them sincerely."
Visits to the shrine on the anniversary of Japan's surrender are an annual diplomatic and domestic issue. It is a memorial to the 2.6 million Japanese who have died in wars since the 19th century, including several executed class-A war criminals.
Neighbours, including China, say they are an insult to victims of its military aggression, and some Japanese oppose honouring the spirits of war criminals in the same place as those of soldiers ordered by them to die on the battlefield.