TOKYO, Aug 14: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe may make a ritual offering to a shrine seen as a symbol of Japan’s former militarism, media said today — a move likely to anger China and place at risk tentative diplomatic overtures by Tokyo.
An offering on Thursday, the emotive anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War Two, would highlight the fine line Abe seeks to tread between mending frayed China ties and appealing to his conservative support base. A similar move in April infuriated China and South Korea, both victims of wartime aggression.
Abe is likely to skip visiting the Yasukuni Shrine to war dead, where people convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal are also honoured. But he may make the offering through a representative of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Japanese media said.
Neither the prime minister’s office nor LDP headquarters could confirm the media reports.
Abe and other conservatives say it is only natural to pay respects at Yasukuni to those who died for their country, especially on Aug 15. Tokyo hopes, however, that if Abe stays away on the day it could score points with China and help pave the way for a summit that Japan has been signaling it wants.
At least two cabinet members and a ruling party executive are likely to visit the shrine in central Tokyo, prompting China’s Foreign Ministry to say last week that visits by Japanese political leaders were unacceptable in any form.
A group of conservative lawmakers is also expected to pay their respects.
Chinese state media have launched a barrage of invective against Japan in recent weeks, aimed at Abe and his plans to strengthen the armed forces, the country’s latest step away from the constraints of its pacifist post-war constitution. (agencies)
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