CCTV9英语新闻：China urges Japan to face up to history

Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe has taken part in ritual offerings at Tokyo's infamous Yasukuni Shrine. A place that honors some of Japan's worst war criminals. In response, China has urged Japan to face up to its history of aggression and make a clean break with militarism. 

 

"The Yasukuni Shrine honors Class-A Japanese war criminals, who should be held directly responsible for its aggression during World War II. China’s attitude toward the Yasukuni Shrine issue has always been clear and consistent. We urge Japan to face up to its history of aggression and make a clean break with militarism, so as to regain trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community with concrete actions," said Hua Chunying, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

 

On Thursday, Abe dedicated a "masakaki" tree to the shrine ahead of Japan's annual spring festival celebrations. Other senior government personnel including Labor and Welfare Minister, Yasuhisa Shiozaki -- House of Representatives Speaker, Tadamori Oshima -- and House of Councillors President, Masaaki Yamazaki -- made similar offerings. 

 

Abe abstained from visiting Yasukuni Shrine in person. But his special advisor, Seiichi Eto, made the trip on his behalf. The controversial war shrine honors some 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 convicted top-level war criminals.