Japanese Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa visited a war shrine at
the center of tension with China and South Korea, the eve of the
60th anniversary of Tokyo's defeat in World War II.
Nakagawa, wearing a dark black suit, arrived at the Yasukuni
Shrine in a chauffeured car.
The lawmaker, known for hawkish remarks, had earlier hinted he
may go to the controversial shrine on the 60th anniversary, saying
he regarded it as a way to "wish for peace and pledge never to wage
war."
At least two cabinet ministers have said they will visit
Yasukuni on Monday. But a close aide to Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi said Sunday he would not visit the shrine on the
anniversary.
"With tacit understanding as a long-time friend ... I think the
prime minister will not go on August 15," ruling-party lawmaker
Taku Yamasaki told the private Asahi network.
But when asked if Koizumi will drop his annual visit to Yasukuni
this year, Yamasaki said he was "a bit doubtful."
Koizumi has made four controversial pilgrimages to the shrine in
central Tokyo while in office but he has avoided sensitive dates
such as August 15, the day Emperor Hirohito surrendered in
1945.
The Yasukuni Shrine honors 2.5 million Japanese war dead
including 14 WWII Class-A convicted war criminals.
Koizumi hinted Friday he would stay away from the shrine, saying
his opinion that he would not go to Yasukuni on or around August 15
so as not to upset people at home or abroad "hasn't changed."
(Chinadaily.com.cn via agencies, August 15, 2005)