The United States has expressed disappointment with long-time ally Japan, after the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the controversial Yasukuni shrine.
The visit has drawn fury from China, who deemed it “a flagrant provocation against international justice and treads arbitrarily on humanity's conscience".
The shrine honours several high ranking Japanese officials, including those found guilty and executed for war crimes after World War II.
Abe’s visit also drew criticism from the South Korea, who labeled it “anachronistic”, and the United States, who released a statement saying,
The visit has drawn fury from China, who deemed it “a flagrant provocation against international justice and treads arbitrarily on humanity's conscience".
The shrine honours several high ranking Japanese officials, including those found guilty and executed for war crimes after World War II.
Abe’s visit also drew criticism from the South Korea, who labeled it “anachronistic”, and the United States, who released a statement saying,
“Japan is a valued ally and friend. Nevertheless, the United States is disappointed that Japan's leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan's neighbors”.Also see our earlier post: China ‘firmly opposed’ to Japanese defence plan (21 December 2013)
“We take note of the Prime Minister’s expression of remorse for the past and his reaffirmation of Japan's commitment to peace.”