IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Japan

Explosion heard at Yasukuni Shrine

An explosion was heard at Japan's war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in downtown Tokyo at about 10 am on Monday, local media reported, adding that no one was injured. The explosion happened in a lavatory near the shrine's south gate, with parts of the lavatory's walls and ceilings damaged, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. The report said local police and fire authorities are investigating the incident. Yasukuni enshrines those who died in the service of the now-defunct Japanese Empire, including 14 convicted Class-A war criminals from World War II.