China protests Japanese Minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine

On August 15, China summoned the Japanese Ambassador to Beijing to hand over a diplomatic note protesting two cabinet ministers' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japanese soldiers who died in World War II, including Class A war criminals.

According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the visit by Japanese ministers to the controversial shrine in Tokyo "caused serious harm" to the psychology and feelings of the people of China and other Asian countries, as well as to mutual trust between Japan and its neighbors.

Japanese officials visit Yasukuni Shrine. (Source: AFP/VNA)

The statement said Japan must take historical issues seriously and take action to win the trust of the international community.

Earlier in the day, Japan's Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshitaka Shindo and Keiji Furuya, the state minister in charge of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, visited the Yasukuni Shrine to commemorate the end of World War II.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Yoshitaka Shindo said he visited the shrine in his personal capacity, not as a minister, and he did not consult Prime Minister Shindo Abe before making the visit.

Previously, Prime Minister Abe decided not to visit Yasukuni Shrine. Meanwhile, a number of other Japanese ministers are also expected to visit Yasukuni Shrine on this occasion.

Observers believe that Prime Minister Abe's decision not to visit the shrine was to avoid causing further conflict in Japan's relations with China and South Korea, which are already tense due to territorial disputes and historical issues.

Meanwhile, on August 15, police forces and vehicles were increased to ensure security at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing (China)./.

According to (TTXVN) - DT