Japan justice mininster visits Yasukuni Shrine: Kyodo

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a passionate supporter of the shrine, made a ritual offering on Saturday, but is thought unlikely to visit in person.

Takaichi told reporters the visit was meant to express her heartfelt gratitude to those who sacrificed themselves for Japan and it is “a matter that has nothing to do with diplomatic relations”. Scores of conservative lawmakers, possibly including cabinet ministers, are expected to go to the shrine to mark the autumn festival on Tuesday. He has since refrained from visiting there, instead sending “masakaki” tree offerings during the country’s spring and fall festivals. Abe’s move is likely to anger Korea and China, both victims of Japan’s past militarism.

The Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo has been a source of tension between Japan and its neighbors, especially China and South Korea, as it honors 14 war criminals convicted by the Allies in the trials that followed World War II.

Yonhap said the two ministers’ shrine visits “could cast a pall on the planned summit” of the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea.

Visits by Japanese officials to Yasukuni, including one by Abe in December. 2013, have drawn criticism as they are viewed as a sign of Japan failing to atone for its past imperialist aggression. Abe is preparing to meet with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts for their first trilateral talks since 2012, which are scheduled for November 1.

Park said on Thursday that she hoped the upcoming three-way summit would help clear obstacles to better relations with Tokyo and boost stability in Northeast Asia and said she was open to a bilateral meeting with Abe.