Koizumi's visit angers many at home, abroad

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, AUG 13. The Japanese Prime Minister, Mr. Junichiro Koizumi, did not win many friends today by visiting the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in honour of the country's war dead, including war criminals.

Mr. Koizumi, in what was seen as a concession from concerns emanating from abroad and inside Japan, advanced his visit by two days - he was earlier scheduled to visit the shrine on August 15 - the anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender. China has taken the lead in condemning Mr. Koizumi's actions. Along with the Koreas, Beijing believes that such a visit sends out wrong signals about Japan's war past. The Japanese Prime Minister, however, said in a statement before going to the shrine: ``I want to express my deepest condolences to all the people who sacrificed their lives in the war...our country should never again walk the path to war.''

In Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Mr. Koizumi's visit: ``The Chinese Government and people express strong dissatisfaction and indignation. This erroneous act has damaged the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations as well as the feelings of the Chinese people and other Asian (World War) victims,'' the Ministry's statement added. Mr. Koizumi, who became only the third Japanese Prime Minister to go to the Shinto shrine after war criminals were enshrined there, said he felt deep shame at not keeping his promise to visit on August 15.

``I feel a deep sense of shame at withdrawing the remarks I made as Prime Minister...but I am in a position where I have to handle various issues by assuming responsibility as Premier for the sake of broad national interests,'' he said. ``I had said I wanted to visit on August 15, but I thought I should listen to what other people say... after considering and considering it, I finally decided to go today,'' Mr. Koizumi maintained.

``As August 15 draws near, my intention was being taken in a way I did not intend both at home and abroad. I think from the bottom of my heart that I want to promote friendship with China, South Korea and other neighbouring countries. It has become clear that the visit, if made on August 15, would be taken in a wrong way, but that wouldn't be what I desire,'' Mr. Koizumi stated. Apart from small protests at the venue, the reaction from the Chinese Foreign Ministry would indicate that the visit has actually been taken in a ``wrong way''.

Japan's war past still concerns its immediate neighbours, a fact that is hardly a secret. Seen along with a controversial text book penned by nationalist historians, the last has not been heard about the Koizumi visit. While Mr. Koizumi thinks he has made a major concession by not going to the shrine on August 15, the fact that his intention was to go on the surrender anniversary is not hidden from anyone.

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Section  : International
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