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Five Japanese Cabinet Ministers, Lawmakers Visit Yasukuni Shrine
Five Japanese cabinet ministers and nearly 200 lawmakers paid homage to the Yasukuni Shrine on Wednesday, the 56th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.
The five ministers are Defense Agency Director General Gen Nakatani, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tsutomu Takebe, Public Management Minister Toranosuke Katayama, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma and National Public Safety Commission Chairman Jin Murai.
Former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and House of Representatives Speaker Tamisuke Watanuki also visited the Shinto shrine Wednesday.
On August 15 each year, many Japanese politicians visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which houses the memorial tablets of 14 class-A war criminals, including wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, together with some 2.5 million Japanese who have died in wars since 19th century.
The move by Japanese politicians has drew strong criticism and condemnation from Asian countries as well as among many peace- loving Japanese groups and parties.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine Monday, drawing strong protest and criticism at home and abroad. Four other cabinet ministers have already visited the shrine prior to the anniversary.
In addition to the cabinet members, some 190 members from the Diet (parliament) visited the shrine as a group on Wednesday.
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