Japanese PM Abe visits war-linked Yasukuni shrine

 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has paid a visit to Yasukuni, the controversial shrine which honors Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals. It's the first time in seven years that a sitting prime minister has done so. Abe's visit on Thursday also came on the day marking his first anniversary after returning to office.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has paid a visit to Yasukuni, the controversial shrine which honors Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals.

After a year of growing speculations and hints of visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe enters the controversial shrine, on the day marking one year of his second term as a Prime Minister. Abe has repeatedly said he regretted in not paying his respects at the Shrine during his first term in the office. But refrain from doing so for diplomatic considerations. But many experts said it would have been a matter of time.

"Unfortunately, a Yasukuni visit has largely turned into a political and diplomatic issue. It's been one year since I took office and I chose this day to come here and report to the spirits about the progress over the past year and to renew my commitment to peace so that we will never cause anyone to suffer in war." said Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister.

Only a day ago, Japanese newspapers reported that Abe will not visit the shrine this year. The decision came as a surprise, raising public concerns for escalating diplomatic tensions and invited international criticism, including from Japan's biggest ally, the United States. Leaders of Japan's neighboring countries have been demanding Japan to face up to the history and a diplomatic dialogue can exist after the fact. The controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honours 2.5 million war dead including convicted class A war criminals, is considered a symbol of Japanese aggression during World War Two.

"Abe obviously comes from obviously ideological right in Japan. Which is not contrite or remorseful about the war. They are promoting a more valorizing, indicative, narrative of history. And that indicating, narrative of history is very provocative to the victims to Japanese imperial aggression" said Jeff Kingston, Director of Asian Studies, Temple University Japan.

Many start to wonder if Abe will go through with some of his visions. Changing the pacifist constitution and upgrading the defense force to National Defense force. Which will not only fuel further regional tensions but possible friction with United States as well? He is due to make a statement first thing in the new year and his intensions might become clearer then.