Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura expressed
confidence Monday that his country can improve its relations with
other Asian countries despite the issue of the war-linked Yasukuni
Shrine.
South Korea, China and other Asian countries, which suffered
under Japanese colonization and aggression before and during World
War II, have strongly protested Japanese leaders' visits to the
notorious Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.
Machimura told a news conference that "it is not correct to
argue Japan cannot have good relations with countries like China
and South Korea just because of having the Yasukuni issue."
"This is not a matter in which a single issue tarnishes all
other remaining things," Machimura said on the 60th anniversary of
the end of WWII.
He said that Japan has had wide-ranging interchanges and
diplomatic relations with China and South Korea.
The foreign minister underscored the importance for Japan and
its Asian neighbors to strive to establish better relations after
acknowledging differences over the Yasukuni Shrine and overcoming
problems stemming from these differences.
Annual visits by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to
the notorious shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals
responsible for Japan's war of aggression against its Asian
neighbors, have sparked strong protests from China and South
Korea.
Koizumi has indicated he would not visit the shrine around
Monday, the day of Japan's surrender in WWII.
Koizumi made his most recent visit to the shrine on January 1
last year, the fourth since taking office in April 2001.
China considers the visits by Japanese leaders to the shrine as
one of the most difficult issues in China-Japan political
relations.
In a written statement on Monday, the Japanese prime minister
said Japan had caused tremendous damage and suffering to Asian
countries due to its colonial rule and military aggression.
"We humbly accept this kind of historical fact and express anew
our deep remorse and sincere apology," he said.
"Japan is resolved to contribute to world peace and prosperity
without starting a war again," the prime minister said in the
statement, which the Cabinet approved earlier Monday.
(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2005)