Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated, provocative visits to
the Yasukuni Shrine a symbol of militarism means he has failed to fully atone
for his country's war past, Chinese historians said yesterday.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro
Koizumi(C) follows a Shinto priest during a visit to the Yasukuni
war shrine in Tokyo on anniversary of Japan's World War II defeat.
The United States said tensions between Japan, China and South Korea
would not hurt cooperation in six-party talks aimed at defusing the
crisis over North Korea's nuclear programs.
[AFP]
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They
called Koizumi's visit "a political farce," which they said is "a poison" for
China-Japan relations.
They were especially enraged as Koizumi chose August 15 for his latest visit,
the 61st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.
"Koizumi has violated Japan's constitution," said He Li, a professor at the
University of National Defence, "and gone against the will of peace-loving
people in Japan."
A survey last month in the Mainichi newspaper showed 54 per cent of 1,065
respondents felt that whoever replaces Koizumi who is set to step down next
month should not visit the war shrine.
A separate survey conducted by the Nihon Keizai business newspaper at about
the same time showed similar results, with 53 per cent opposing the visits, 28
per cent supporting them and 19 per cent undecided.
Tang Zhongnan, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said
Koizumi would face the trial of the history; and asked his successor to make
efforts to bring bilateral relations back on track.
Li Liangzhi, a professor at Renmin University of China, said Koizumi's
pilgrimage to the shrine, where 14 war criminals of World War II are honoured,
is a sign that Japan could one day return to militarism.
"If he really wanted to show his love for peace, he should have paid respects
at the Marco Polo Bridge in Beijing instead of the Yasukuni Shrine," he said,
referring to Koizumi's excuse in response to criticism.
On July 7, 1937, Japanese forces assaulted Marco Polo Bridge (also known as
Lugou Bridge), about 20 kilometres from downtown Beijing, marking Japan's
all-out invasion of China.
Liu Tinghua, a researcher with the Academy of Military Sciences of the
People's Liberation Army, said Japan would never be considered a responsible
nation if its leaders continue to pay respects to war criminals.
He called Koizumis's visit "ignorant, short-sighted and stupid."
"I can't imagine how Japan can fulfil its international responsibilities at
the United Nations when it can't even face up to history," Liu said, referring
to the country's efforts to secure a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
About 50 historians attended the gathering at the Museum of the Chinese
People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression near the Marco Polo
Bridge.
(China Daily 08/17/2006 page1)