Abe Not to Visit Yasukuni Shrine

　　Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has decided¹ not to visit the controversial Yasukuni Shrine² in Tokyo to mark the anniversary of the end of the World War II.

 

　　It's being reported the decision has been made out of concern the visit will further escalate³ already-tight relations with neighboring China and South Korea.

 

　　Instead, Abe will reportedly offer a sacrifice to the shrine.

 

　　The Chinese government is urging Japanese politicians not to visit the shrine.

 

　　Chinese foreign ministry⁴ spokesperson Hua Chunying:

 

　　"Japan will never be able to walk out of the shadow of history. There won't be a future for relations between Japan and Asian neighbors."

 

　　A number of Japan's cabinet members have already announced plans to worship the shrine on Thursday.

 

　　Over the years, visits to the shrine by Japanese politicians have sparked strong opposition⁵ from China and South Korea.

 

　　While the shrine honors Japan's war dead, it also enshrines 14 class-A war criminals.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 shrine   

n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣

参考例句：

• The shrine was an object of pilgrimage.这处圣地是人们朝圣的目的地。
• They bowed down before the shrine.他们在神龛前鞠躬示敬。

3 escalate   

v.(使)逐步增长(或发展)，(使)逐步升级

参考例句：

• It would tempt Israel's neighbors to escalate their demands.它将诱使以色列的邻国不断把他们的要求升级。
• Defeat could cause one side or other to escalate the conflict.失败可能会导致其中一方将冲突升级。

4 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

5 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。