Japan's PM visits controversial war shrine
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at center, visits the controversial Yasukuni war shrine in Tokyo.
December 26th, 2013
01:58 AM ET

Japan's PM visits controversial war shrine

A 30-minute visit to a controversial shrine by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ignited a predictable firestorm of criticism and condemnation Thursday from Japan's neighbors.
The Yasukuni Shrine is regarded by China, North Korea and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's imperial military past. All three countries suffered under Japan's military aggression in World War II. Millions of Chinese civilians and soldiers, and hundreds of thousands of Koreans, died.
So, each time a top Japanese official has visited, the countries have protested - saying the visits honor war criminals and deny Japan's atrocities in Asia.
Not so, said Abe on Thursday. He wanted to pray for the souls of the war dead, not honor war criminals, he said.
"I have renewed my determination before the souls of the war dead to firmly uphold the pledge never to wage a war again," he said.

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soundoff (2 Responses)
  1. saywhat

    Caution there CNN!.The subject of war atrocities has become kind of tricky during the past 12 yrs.
    Or since, Oh, just let it go.

    December 26, 2013 at 12:20 pm | Report abuse |
  2. flamespeak

    No matter what side they are on, soldiers are made up of the common people who are following the orders of those who they may not agree with but trust to lead them down the right path. History has shown that many of those leaders were far from ideal, but the sacrifice that the common man and woman gave for their country should always be honored, even if you don't believe in the cause of that sacrifice.

    December 30, 2013 at 2:26 am | Report abuse |
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