Abe Makes Offering to Yasukuni Shrine

Tokyo, May 8 (Jiji Press)–Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made an offering worth 50,000 yen to Yasukuni Shrine, a move that could draw criticism from Japan’s key Asian neighbors, namely China and South Korea, it was learned Tuesday.

Abe dedicated the offering, a potted “sakaki” tree, in his capacity as prime minister during the Shinto shrine’s spring festival on April 21-23, according to sources in the Tokyo shrine and the government.

He bought the plant at his own expense, the sources said. Sakaki, or Cleyera japonica, is an evergreen and is used as a sacred tree in Shinto religious rituals.

The prime minister kept silent on the move when asked by reporters Tuesday morning.

At a press conference the same day, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki declined comments, noting that the matter is related to Abe’s personal belief.

Abe’s latest action might have been intended to show consideration to people, including some members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who have been urging the prime minister to worship at the shrine, which honors Class-A Japanese World War II criminals among the war dead, observers said.

Since taking office in September last year, the prime minister has refrained from saying whether he has plans to visit the controversial shrine or has made such visits.

On April 15 last year, Abe, then serving as chief cabinet secretary, reportedly visited Yasukuni Shrine.

Abe’s sakaki tree dedication to the war-related shrine, which came after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s Japan visit April 11-13, may anger China and South Korea. Specifically, it may cast a pall over Abe’s possible visit to China before the year-end and Chinese President Hu Jintao’s expected Japan visit next year, observers said.

Yasukuni Shrine is regarded as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism by its Asian neighbors, especially China and South Korea. Abe’s predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, had infuriated the two countries by visiting the shrine repeatedly while in office.

Abe was the first incumbent prime minister to dedicate a sakaki tree to Yasukuni Shrine since Yasuhiro Nakasone, who stayed in office between 1982 and 1987, according to the shrine.END

(c) 2007 Jiji Press English News Service. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.