Japan's Abe donates to notorious Yasukuni Shrine

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual donation to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The offering by the prime minister comes as Japan is observing the anniversary of its surrender in World War II.

The Japanese leader, however, is unlikely to visit the notorious shrine in person in light of improving regional relations, particularly with China.

People release doves as a symbol of peace at the Yasukuni Shrine for the war dead in Tokyo, Japan, August 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

The same goes for his Cabinet ministers, sources with knowledge of the matter said.

The Shinto shrine, seen by neighboring countries as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, has long-been a source of diplomatic friction with Japan's neighbors as it honors convicted war criminals together with the war dead.

Yasukuni Shrine honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals among 2.5 million Japanese war dead from WWII.

Visits and ritual offerings made in person or by proxy to the infamous shrine by Japanese leaders and officials have consistently sparked strong criticism and offended China, S. Korea and other countries brutalized by Japan during WWII.

Right-wing group members bow their heads to pay tribute to the war dead at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, August 15, 2018. /VCG Photo

Abe has sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni during spring and autumn festivals every year since he launched his current administration in 2012.

The Japanese prime minister last visited the controversial shrine in person in December 2013, at which time he was strongly condemned by China and S. Korea, as well as the United States, who said at the time it was disappointed with Abe's decision.

(Top image: A wooden plaque showing the name of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seen with a "masakaki" tree that Abe sent as a ritual offering for the war dead at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, April 21, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency