Japan's Defense Minister Koizumi prays at shrine seen by neighbors as symbol of Japanese militarism
- Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi prayed at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday.
- The shrine is viewed by Japan's Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country's past militarism.
- Koizumi has frequently visited the shrine, which commemorates World War II criminals.
- Visits to the shrine by Japanese politicians have faced criticism from China and South Korea.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a regular visitor to the shrine, is expected to avoid it to prioritize diplomatic relations.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Saturday prayed at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Japan’s Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country’s past militarism.
Koizumi has often been at the controversial shrine. Visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine, which also commemorates World War II criminals, have been criticized by China and South Korea.
They see it as a move that shows their lack of remorse over Japan’s wartime atrocities. Koizumi has regularly made annual shrine visits marking Japan’s anniversary of the end of the war on Aug. 15 and other occasions.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, also a regular at the shrine, is expected to stay away to prioritize diplomatic ties with the neighboring countries.
日本防卫大臣小泉在邻国视为日本军事主义象征的神社祈祷
日本防卫大臣小泉在东京的靖国神社进行了祈祷，该神社被日本的亚洲邻国视为日本过去军事主义的象征。
小泉经常访问这个有争议的神社。日本政治家对该神社的访问遭到中国和韩国的批评，该神社还纪念二战罪犯。
他们认为这表明日本对其战争暴行缺乏悔意。小泉定期在每年8月15日日本战败纪念日和其他场合访问该神社。
首相高市早苗作为常客，预计将避免前往以优先考虑与邻国的外交关系。