On August 15, marking 80 years since Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, and Minister of Agriculture Shinjiro Koizumi, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, and rightwing politicians Takayuki Kobayashi and Koichi Hagiuda visited the shrine.
In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong statement condemning these acts as "a gross challenge to historical justice and human conscience." The spokesperson noted that the shrine functions as "a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists' war of aggression," honoring 14 convicted Class-A war criminals responsible for grave war crimes during World War II. "We have lodged serious protests with the Japanese side," the statement declared.
This year's visits coincided with the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. According to the Chinese ministry, correctly confronting and reflecting on this history is essential for Japan's full reintegration into the international community and for building trust with neighboring countries.
Looking ahead, China urged Japan to face its past squarely, make a clean break with militarism, and adhere to peaceful development. Only through real actions, the spokesperson said, can Japan earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the wider world.
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China deplores Japanese politicians paying respects to Yasukuni Shrine
cgtn.com
