Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine yesterday drew wide protests from Japan's coalition and opposition parties, politicians and civil groups.

Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki said the visit was "hard to understand from abroad."

According to Kyodo News, Tanigaki voiced his protest directly to the prime minister at an informal meeting with Koizumi in Tokyo.

Japan's three opposition parties also criticized Koizumi's visit.

Yukio Hatoyama, secretary-general of the main opposition Democratic Party of Japan, said "the visit was an absurd act which could not be more irresponsible."

Japanese Communist Party leader Kazuo Shii said in a statement that Koizumi's visit to the shrine "exposed his irresponsibility regarding the country's foreign affairs," and the party was firmly against it.

Mizuho Fukushima, head of the Social Democratic Party, said at a press conference that Koizumi's visit was a mistake.

"August 15 should be a day when we share a pledge of no more war. But (the premier) is trying to change the nature of the anniversary into a day of justifying sacrifice to the state," she said.

Takenori Kanzaki, leader of the coalition partner New Komeito said "it is quite regrettable because (the visit came) on the symbolic day of August 15."

Koichi Kato, former secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said Japan's diplomacy in Asia was almost in paralysis and Koizumi's shrine visit had been an important factor.

"Actions regarding diplomacy cannot be resolved with words like 'spiritual matter,'" he said.

The Japan-China Friendship Association said in a statement that it "strongly" protested against Koizumi's visit to the shrine on August 15.

The Japan War-Bereaved Peaceful Association National Communication Committee also issued a statement saying "We strongly protest against the shrine visit" and "We say no to the visits to the Yasukuni Shrine."

Before Koizumi visited the shrine yesterday morning, hundreds of protesters arrived at the shrine to lodge their protests.

Outside Japan, Koizumi's visits to the shrine have been denounced by countries which suffered Japan's brutal aggression before and during World War II.

In Korean Peninsula

Thousands of people in the Republic of Korea (ROK) held anti-Japan protests yesterday, denouncing Koizumi's visit to the war shrine.

Some 3,000 activists gathered near the Japanese Embassy in central Seoul to protest the visit.

A group of veterans pounded an effigy of Koizumi with clubs, demanding Japan make amends for conduct during the war.

In Seoul, ROK President Roh Moo-hyun urged Tokyo to back its apologies for wartime aggression with action.

"Japan must repent sincerely and clearly prove it will not repeat its past wrongdoing by translating apologies into action," Roh said in a speech.

Roh also urged Tokyo to take "substantial" steps to improve ties with Seoul.

ROK's foreign ministry summoned Japan's Ambassador to Seoul, Shotaro Oshima, to protest Koizumi's visit to the shrine.

"We express deep disappointment and anger" over Koizumi's pilgrimage to Yasukuni, the ministry said in a statement.

"Japan must build confidence with neighbours by facing up to history if it really wants to contribute to regional peace and prosperity and play a responsible role in the international community," said the statement.

The Democratic People Republic of Korea (DPRK) joined the protests, calling Japan "the sworn enemy of the Korean people."

"The Korean people can never forget the past crimes of Japan no matter how much water may flow under the bridge," the DPRK's official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said in a commentary.

In Singapore, Malaysia

Singapore said yesterday the repeated visits by Koizumi to the shrine would hamper closer relations and co-operation in East Asia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Singapore regretted Koizumi's visits to the shrine as prime minister.

"They are not helpful to the larger common interest of building closer relations and co-operation in East Asia, including Southeast Asia," the statement read.

"We hope that this larger common interest, which Japan undoubtedly shares will not be overlooked by Japan," it added.

In Malaysia, activists protested outside the Japanese Embassy over the visit which they said would revive the spirit of militarism in Japan.

"Koizumi's visit has a negative impact. He admires the war criminals. If that is so, it may encourage the young to stage another war. This is what we are worried about," said 70-year-old Tan Kai Hee.

Tan, the chairman of the Malaysian Patriotic Association, an umbrella organization representing ethnic Chinese societies, was among those who gathered outside the Japanese mission in Kuala Lumpur.

They handed over a five-point memorandum to embassy officials condemning the shrine visit.

"As long as Japanese politicians visit the shrine, it should be regarded as an act of provocation and it should be strongly condemned," the memorandum said.

The visit also stirred anger and disappointment in Indonesia.

Source: China Daily