Prime Minister's Yasukuni visit fuels anger in and out of Japan

Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro's visit to Yasukuni Shrine on January 14 is now under fire both in Japan and internationally as it is taken as an act of praising Japan's past war of aggression and colonial rule over Asian neighbors.

South Korean President Kim Dae Jung on January 15 cancelled the planned meeting with Japan's Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko who was visiting the country.

A senior Chinese government official on January 14 met with Japanese Ambassador to China Anami Koreshige to express China's indignation at the prime minister's shrine visit.

In Japan, about 30 war dead family members, Christians, and Buddhists on January 15 staged a protest in front of the Diet building.

National Christian Council of Japan (NCC) Yasukuni Committee Chair Moriyama Tsutomu blamed Prime Minister Koizumi for intending to change Japan back into a war fighting nation.

Tsujiko Minoru, secretary of a citizens group in support of lawsuits claiming that Prime Minister Koizumi and Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro's Yasukuni visits are unconstitutional, said that he will make joint efforts with Asian neighbors to prevent Japan from establishing wartime legislation in preparation for war.

Takeda Takao of the Japan Buddha Sanga said that what Japan should do now is to use its influence to prevent the United States and Britain from attacking Iraq.

Representatives of these organizations went to the Cabinet Office to hand a protest statement to the prime minister.

The Japan Federation of Women's Organizations (Fudanren) published a protest statement.

The Korean Residents Union in Japan also issued a protest statement urging Prime Minister Koizumi to reflect on his arrogant act and not to visit the shrine again. (end)