Japan defence minister visits contentious Yasukuni Shrine to war dead

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two. The shrine honors the nation's war dead but is viewed by Asian neighbors as a symbol of Japan's wartime aggression.

Koizumi, son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, was seen in a dark suit and tie at the shrine, according to media images. He had previously visited the shrine in his capacity as agriculture minister.

Kimi Onoda, minister for economic security, also visited the shrine on Saturday, public broadcaster NHK reported. The visits come as Japan marks the anniversary of its defeat in 1945.

China strongly condemned the visits, with a foreign ministry spokesperson stating that the country had lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with Japan. Both China and South Korea have voiced concerns that visits by senior Japanese officials gloss over Tokyo's wartime actions and harm diplomatic ties.

The Yasukuni Shrine commemorates 2.5 million war dead, including 14 wartime leaders convicted of major war crimes by Allied tribunals after Japan's defeat. Japanese officials have previously stated that such visits are made in a personal capacity to honor those who died in the nation's wars.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent a ritual offering to the shrine, according to Kyodo news agency. No sitting Japanese prime minister has visited Yasukuni Shrine since Shinzo Abe in December 2013, a visit that drew disappointment from the administration of then-U.S. President Barack Obama. The last premier to visit on the anniversary of Japan's surrender was Junichiro Koizumi in 2006.

“

China strongly condemns the negative moves by the Japanese side concerning the Yasukuni Shrine, and has already lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with Japan.