Japan's defense chief visits shrine neighbors see as symbol of Japanese militarism
- Japan's defense minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, prayed at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, a site seen by neighboring Asian countries as a symbol of Japanese militarism.
- China and South Korea have criticized visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine because it also honors World War II criminals and is seen as reflecting insufficient remorse for wartime atrocities.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was expected to stay away from the shrine to avoid worsening already strained ties with Beijing and Seoul, despite earlier pledges that she would visit on the surrender anniversary.
- Koizumi has visited the shrine on Japan's Aug. 15 war-anniversary date before, but this visit was viewed as more sensitive because he serves in a government seeking to expand Japan's military capabilities and weapons sales.
- Later on Saturday, attention was to shift to Takaichi's first address as prime minister at a national ceremony marking Japan's surrender, where she is expected to describe wartime history.
Japan's defense minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, according to the report. The shrine is regarded in China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's wartime militarism, and visits by Japanese officials have long drawn criticism from both countries.
The shrine also commemorates World War II criminals, which is why such visits are seen by critics as a sign that Japan has not fully shown remorse for wartime atrocities. Koizumi did not speak to reporters after the visit.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who had previously said she would pray at the shrine on the anniversary of Japan's surrender, was expected to stay away this time to avoid further diplomatic strain with Beijing and Seoul. The article says her later address at the surrender ceremony would draw attention to how she frames Japan's wartime history.
Koizumi has visited Yasukuni before on Aug. 15 and other occasions, but the report says this visit carried extra weight because he is part of a hawkish government pushing to strengthen Japan's military and expand weapons sales. The article also notes Takaichi's history of resisting language that acknowledges Japan's wartime aggression and atrocities.
日本防卫大臣参拜靖国神社，周边国家视其为日本军国主义象征
报道写道，日本防卫大臣小泉进次郎于周六参拜了东京靖国神社。对于中国和韩国来说，这座神社被视为日本战时军国主义的象征，日本官员的参拜长期以来都会引发两国批评。
靖国神社也供奉二战战犯，因此批评者认为，这类参拜显示日本并未充分反省战争暴行。小泉在参拜后没有对记者发表评论。
首相高市早苗此前曾表示，她会在日本投降纪念日到靖国神社参拜，但报道说，她这次预计不会前往，以免进一步加剧与北京和首尔的外交紧张。文章还提到，她稍后在投降纪念仪式上的发言，将成为外界关注她如何表述日本战争历史的重点。
报道指出，小泉过去也曾在8月15日及其他场合参拜靖国神社，但这次在一届主张加强军力、扩大武器销售的鹰派政府中任职，使其行程更具争议。文章还说，高市早苗过去一直拒绝使用承认日本战争侵略和暴行的表述。