A Japanese cabinet minister and a former prime minister
yesterday visited the Yasukuni Shrine on the eve of the 60th
anniversary of the nation's defeat in World War II.
When asked in what capacity he was paying the visit to the
shrine, which honors 14 WWII Class-A war criminals along with the
nation's war dead, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi
Nakagawa said: "I'm a cabinet minister."
Prior to Nakagawa, former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto also
paid a visit.
The visits by Japanese politicians have enraged other Asian
countries that suffered from Japanese aggression and colonial rule
in the first half of 20th century.
Meanwhile, the chairman of South Korea's ruling Uri Party said
yesterday that the future of the relationship between Japan and his
country largely depends on how Japan views history.
Moon Hee-sang, who made the remarks in a written interview
carried by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, pointed out although a
number of Japanese leaders have offered apologies for their
country's invasion and hostile occupation of some Asian countries
and regions during WWII, their apologies have been made
"meaningless" by an equally large number of Japanese leaders saying
the opposite.
"It would not be an overstatement to say that the very
foundation of the South Korea-Japan relationship depends on Japan's
recognition of correct accounts of history," he said.
"That is why we are continuously asking Japan to make a sincere
apology and reflect on its past wrongdoing through action."
One way for Japan to show its sincerity, according to Moon,
would be to compensate Korean victims of its colonization.
(China Daily August 15, 2005)