China has expressed “strong dissatisfaction” to Japan after Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to a controversial shrine that honours war criminals, on the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender.
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It was a “blatant provocation against historical justice and human conscience”, the Chinese foreign ministry said, referring to the visit to the Yasukuni Shrine on Friday by several Japanese cabinet members.
“To view and treat history correctly is an important prerequisite for Japan’s post-war return to the international community and the political foundation for its relations with neighbouring countries,” the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
“We urge Japan to face and deeply reflect on its history of aggression, act cautiously on issues such as the Yasukuni Shrine, and completely sever ties with militarism.”
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Place of controversy: Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine
Place of controversy: Japan’s Yasukuni Shrine
Ishiba did not visit the shrine, but sent a religious ornament. However, several politicians from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as well as members of the ultranationalist “Japan first” Sanseito went there in person.
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Those visiting included Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.