BEIJING – Chinese government officials issued sharp criticism Wednesday following the Japanese prime minister’s ceremonial offerings at the Yasukuni war memorial and visits by other Japanese government figures to the controversial site.
During a routine press conference, a representative from China’s foreign ministry described Japan’s actions regarding the shrine as behavior that “grossly trample on human conscience.” The spokesperson added that Beijing feels “very indignant at these heinous acts and strongly condemns them.”
The Yasukuni memorial site pays tribute to Japan’s military dead, including servicemen and government officials who were found guilty of war crimes by international courts. Many of Japan’s neighboring Asian countries consider the shrine a representation of Japan’s aggressive military history during wartime.
