TOKYO, Aug 14 – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided not to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine on Aug 15, the 68th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, Xinhua news agency reported citing a local media report.
The decision made was out of concern the visit would further escalate tight relations with neighbouring China and South Korea, Japan’s Kyodo News quoted officials as saying.
Abe will instead offer a sacrifice to the notorious shrine which honours Japanese war dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals during the World War II.
Abe, known as a conservative hawkish leader, said during the 68th anniversary of US nuclear bombing of Hiroshima on Aug 6 that he would not prevent his cabinet members from visiting the shrine.
Three cabinet members, Keiji Furuya, chairman of national public safety commission, Internal Affairs Minister Yoshitaka Shindo and Tomomi Inada, administrative reform minister, are mulling to worship the shrine on Thursday.
Visits to the shrine by Japanese ministers and lawmakers have sparked strong opposition from China and South Korea, both of which had suffered from Japan’s war aggression.
– BERNAMA
