The visit by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi...
The visit by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to a Tokyo war shrine on April 21 sparked scattered protests around Asia, particularly in countries that suffered at the hands of Japan in World War II
The visit by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to a Tokyo war shrine on April 21 sparked scattered protests around Asia, particularly in countries that suffered at the hands of Japan in World War II.
In Taiwan, dozens gathered outside Japan's top representative office, calling Koizumi a "modern day war criminal" and even demanding his execution. In Seoul on, a group of former South Korean commandos hacked a squealing pig to death in the back of a van to protest against Koizumi's visit to the shrine. North Korea added its voice when a Foreign Ministry spokesman slammed the shrine visit as a "reckless deed" that aroused "astonishment and wrath".
Despite the protests, dozens of Japanese politicians also visited the shrine. Political aides said 91 members of parliament followed Koizumi's example, including Taku Yamasaki, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Another 94 sent representatives in their place.
The Yasukuni Shrine honours convicted war criminals of World War II along with Japan's war dead.
In Taiwan, dozens gathered outside Japan's top representative office, calling Koizumi a "modern day war criminal" and even demanding his execution. In Seoul on, a group of former South Korean commandos hacked a squealing pig to death in the back of a van to protest against Koizumi's visit to the shrine. North Korea added its voice when a Foreign Ministry spokesman slammed the shrine visit as a "reckless deed" that aroused "astonishment and wrath".
Despite the protests, dozens of Japanese politicians also visited the shrine. Political aides said 91 members of parliament followed Koizumi's example, including Taku Yamasaki, secretary-general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Another 94 sent representatives in their place.
The Yasukuni Shrine honours convicted war criminals of World War II along with Japan's war dead.
— SOURCES
- (Sources: Channel News Asia, Kyodo, 23/04/2002)