Japanese PM's War-Shrine Visit 'Unwise': New Zealand PM

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 22, 2002

Japanese PM's War-Shrine Visit 'Unwise': New Zealand PM

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Ten days before an expected visit here by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark described as "unwise" his visit to a war shrine that has enraged neighboring countries.

The Tokyo shrine also remembers convicted war criminals, and Koizumi's visit to it at the weekend has drawn criticism from China and South Korea.

Helen Clark told reporters after her Cabinet met on Monday that she would not rule out raising the issue with Koizumi when they meet next month, saying "it may or may not come up."

"I don't think it was wise to visit that shrine for all the reasons that all the former allies in the war against Japan would say it was unwise," the New Zealand prime minister said.

"That shrine, as I understand, has links in the allied mind toward criminals," she added.

"Japan today is not the Japan defeated in 1945 and a lot of water has gone under the bridge. It is important to forgive but not to forget," she said.

Koizumi's visit to New Zealand on May 2 will follow a state visit to Australia.

Although Japan has not formally confirmed the New Zealand leg,New Zealand has gone ahead with preparations including a state banquet, according to the New Zealand government.

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