Abe's offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on the 69th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two was still likely to anger China and South Korea, where bitter memories linger of Japan's actions before and during the war.
Sending the offering is part of a delicate dance between 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.
"He wants to express his respect and to pay homage to the people who sacrificed their lives for the nation, while praying for a lasting peace," Hagiuda told reporters.
Tokyo hopes that if Abe stays away on the emotive anniversary it could send a signal to China of his desire to ease tensions and help pave the way for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Recent tentative moves to meet have yet to bear fruit.
Ties between the two nations are strained over a host of issues, included a territorial row over a set of remote islands and China's declaration late last year of an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea.............................http://www.todayonline.com/world/japan-pm-sends-ritual-offering-yasukuni-shrine-war-dead?singlepage=true
15/8/14
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South Korea, China Slam Japan War Shrine Visits...
ReplyDeleteJapan's prime minister sent a symbolic offering to a controversial war shrine, an act that brought immediate condemnation from South Korea and China.
Although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe did not visit the Yasukuni Shrine himself Friday, two of his cabinet ministers did.
In Seoul, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said some Japanese politicians were acting in a way that hurts both countries.
A commentary from China's Xinhua news agency said Japan is sowing the seeds of another war.
The Yasukuni Shrine commemorates Japan's 2.5 million war dead, including 14 convicted World War II war criminals.
Many in South Korea and China, which bore the brunt of Japan's militaristic past, see the visits to the shrine as evidence that Tokyo is unrepentant for atrocities committed in their countries.
http://www.voanews.com/content/south-korea-china-slam-japan-war-shrine-visits/2414186.html
15/8/14