Society

Japanese Cabinet opts not to visit Yasukuni Shrine during Autumn Festival

Oct 22 (Japan Times) - The entire Cabinet along with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe refrained from visiting Tokyoâ€™s war-linked Yasukuni Shrine during this yearâ€™s four-day autumn festival that ended Saturday.

They apparently opted not to visit the shrine, regarded by many as a symbol of Japanâ€™s past militarism, because Abe is trying to improve his countryâ€™s relationship with China, sources said.

The prime minister will begin a three-day trip to China on Thursday and a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is set for Friday.

The Shinto shrine honors millions of the nationâ€™s ward dead along with 14 Class-A war criminals from World War II, including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.

There is concern in the government that a visit by Abe or any member of his Cabinet would severely harm Sino-Japanese ties.

Abe last visited the shrine in December 2013, a year after he returned to power, drawing a wave of criticism from various countries.

He has not visited the shrine since, but he has made masakaki ritual offerings during the shrineâ€™s spring and autumn festivals, including last weekâ€™s event.

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