It seems inevitable that Prime Minister Shinzo Abes visit to Yasukuni Shrine on Thursday will make the already chilled relationships with China and South Korea even colder.
Abe has yet to hold a summit meeting with leaders of the two nations since the launch of his second Cabinet about a year ago, and still has no prospect of having them.
Some government officials worry it may also have a negative impact on Japan-U.S. relations.
It is important to show our veneration for those who gave their precious lives to the nation, said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida during a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday morning. Visiting Yasukuni Shrine is a matter of personal emotions. We should avoid making it into an issue of politics or diplomacy.
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters at a press conference: The trilateral relationship between Japan, the United Sates and South Korea is important. We will make our utmost efforts to keep cooperative ties and exchanges of opinions between the defense authorities of Japan, the United States and South Korea.
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba said at the partys headquarters, It is possible to prevent it [Abes visit to Yasukuni] from developing into a diplomatic issue if we make clear the prime ministers intention, which is expressing his veneration for those who died for our country and consoling their souls.
I hope China and South Korea will calmly respond to the matter, he added.
Meanwhile, Democratic Party of Japan President Banri Kaieda told reporters at the Diet building on Thursday afternoon, The prime minister may have his personal feelings, but one in such a position has no individual or private aspects to his life. He should have been prudent to draw a line separating himself from the past.
Abe did not visit the shrine during his first term in 2006-07, which he described as his deepest regret. He has been carefully seeking an opportunity to visit the shrine since the launch of his second Cabinet.
However, both China and South Korea are taking tough stances against Japan due to issues including the standoff over the Senkaku Islands and so-called comfort women.
Because it was almost certain his visit to Yasukuni Shrine would draw criticism from China and South Korea, Abe avoided visiting the shrine at annual festivals in spring and autumn, as well as on Aug. 15, the anniversary of the end of World War II. Instead, he sent an offering of a masakaki tree branch to the shrine.
However, China still criticized Abe, saying that his making the ritual offering was a roundabout visit to the shrine and tantamount to an actual visit. The South Korean Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, expressed deep concern and regret over the issue.
Since his considerately tactful approach went unappreciated, a government source said, [Abe] thought it would be better to visit the shrine according to his beliefs, if he cannot expect any improvement in relations with China and South Korea anyway.
The Japanese government, however, is paying close attention to any possible negative impact that Abes visit to the shrine could cause on Japan-U.S. relations.
The U.S. government has often asked the Japanese government to urge Abe to refrain from visiting the shrine, saying the visit may raise tensions in East Asia. This is apparently because Washington believes cooperation with Japan and South Korea is indispensable amid increasing military threats by China and North Korea.
During their visit to Japan in October, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel went to the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery for the war dead and offered flowers. Some observers say they indicated to Abe that he should not visit Yasukuni Shrine.
The Japanese government plans to shortly explain Abes intentions behind visiting the shrine to the U.S. side.
Visit raises concern over U.S. relations - The Japan News
Abe has yet to hold a summit meeting with leaders of the two nations since the launch of his second Cabinet about a year ago, and still has no prospect of having them.
Some government officials worry it may also have a negative impact on Japan-U.S. relations.
It is important to show our veneration for those who gave their precious lives to the nation, said Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida during a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday morning. Visiting Yasukuni Shrine is a matter of personal emotions. We should avoid making it into an issue of politics or diplomacy.
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters at a press conference: The trilateral relationship between Japan, the United Sates and South Korea is important. We will make our utmost efforts to keep cooperative ties and exchanges of opinions between the defense authorities of Japan, the United States and South Korea.
Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba said at the partys headquarters, It is possible to prevent it [Abes visit to Yasukuni] from developing into a diplomatic issue if we make clear the prime ministers intention, which is expressing his veneration for those who died for our country and consoling their souls.
I hope China and South Korea will calmly respond to the matter, he added.
Meanwhile, Democratic Party of Japan President Banri Kaieda told reporters at the Diet building on Thursday afternoon, The prime minister may have his personal feelings, but one in such a position has no individual or private aspects to his life. He should have been prudent to draw a line separating himself from the past.
Abe did not visit the shrine during his first term in 2006-07, which he described as his deepest regret. He has been carefully seeking an opportunity to visit the shrine since the launch of his second Cabinet.
However, both China and South Korea are taking tough stances against Japan due to issues including the standoff over the Senkaku Islands and so-called comfort women.
Because it was almost certain his visit to Yasukuni Shrine would draw criticism from China and South Korea, Abe avoided visiting the shrine at annual festivals in spring and autumn, as well as on Aug. 15, the anniversary of the end of World War II. Instead, he sent an offering of a masakaki tree branch to the shrine.
However, China still criticized Abe, saying that his making the ritual offering was a roundabout visit to the shrine and tantamount to an actual visit. The South Korean Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, expressed deep concern and regret over the issue.
Since his considerately tactful approach went unappreciated, a government source said, [Abe] thought it would be better to visit the shrine according to his beliefs, if he cannot expect any improvement in relations with China and South Korea anyway.
The Japanese government, however, is paying close attention to any possible negative impact that Abes visit to the shrine could cause on Japan-U.S. relations.
The U.S. government has often asked the Japanese government to urge Abe to refrain from visiting the shrine, saying the visit may raise tensions in East Asia. This is apparently because Washington believes cooperation with Japan and South Korea is indispensable amid increasing military threats by China and North Korea.
During their visit to Japan in October, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel went to the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery for the war dead and offered flowers. Some observers say they indicated to Abe that he should not visit Yasukuni Shrine.
The Japanese government plans to shortly explain Abes intentions behind visiting the shrine to the U.S. side.
Visit raises concern over U.S. relations - The Japan News