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Shindo's Yasukuni shrine visit irks Japan's neighbours Shindo's Yasukuni shrine visit irks Japan's neighbours
(35 minutes later)
China and South Korea have expressed annoyance after Japan's internal affairs minister visited a shrine to dead soldiers, including war criminals.China and South Korea have expressed annoyance after Japan's internal affairs minister visited a shrine to dead soldiers, including war criminals.
Yoshitaka Shindo said he visited the Yasukuni Shrine to pray for peace.Yoshitaka Shindo said he visited the Yasukuni Shrine to pray for peace.
But Beijing said the visit showed the current Japanese government had a "mistaken attitude" to history. Seoul described it as a "retrograde" step.But Beijing said the visit showed the current Japanese government had a "mistaken attitude" to history. Seoul described it as a "retrograde" step.
Japan's neighbours often accuse Tokyo of failing to show the necessary remorse for World War Two atrocities.Japan's neighbours often accuse Tokyo of failing to show the necessary remorse for World War Two atrocities.
Mr Shindo is a regular visitor to the shrine, which honours thousands of Japanese soldiers, including dozens of convicted war criminals. Mr Shindo is a regular visitor to the shrine, which honours thousands of Japanese soldiers.
After his latest visit, he told reporters: "I renewed my commitment to never cause such a tragedy as I prayed for peace before the people who lost their lives in the war. That's what I do every time I visit the shrine."After his latest visit, he told reporters: "I renewed my commitment to never cause such a tragedy as I prayed for peace before the people who lost their lives in the war. That's what I do every time I visit the shrine."
Mr Shindo's grandfather, Tadamichi Kuribayashi, commanded Japanese forces during the legendary battle at Iwo Jima in the closing stages of WW2.Mr Shindo's grandfather, Tadamichi Kuribayashi, commanded Japanese forces during the legendary battle at Iwo Jima in the closing stages of WW2.
The shrine is a perennial flashpoint, and visits by prominent Japanese figures always prompt protests from Japan and South Korea.The shrine is a perennial flashpoint, and visits by prominent Japanese figures always prompt protests from Japan and South Korea.
Among those it honours are dozens who were convicted of war crimes at an allied tribunal after WW2.
Fourteen of those war criminals were convicted of planning and leading Japanese aggression.
The most controversial figure venerated is Prime Minister General Hideki Tojo, who was executed for war crimes in 1948.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose grandfather was a leading politician during and after WW2, visited the shrine late last year.Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose grandfather was a leading politician during and after WW2, visited the shrine late last year.
He was the first prime minister to go to the shrine in seven years.He was the first prime minister to go to the shrine in seven years.