Shrine visit by next premier opposed
(Kyodo)
Updated: 2006-08-13 09:26
China has denied a Kyodo News report that the Chinese and South Korean
governments intend to accept one visit to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine by
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's successor.
The report is "totally groundless," a spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in
Tokyo said late Saturday night. "The Chinese side's position on the issue of
visits to Yasukuni Shrine where Class-A war criminals are honored is very clear
and there is no change."
"We hope this political obstacle hindering the normal development of
China-Japan relations will be removed as soon as possible so that (bilateral
relations) can be put back on a normal track of development," the spokesman
said.
The Chinese and South Korean governments intend to accept one visit to
Yasukuni Shrine by Koizumi's successor on condition that no more visits are made
during his tenure, Kyodo News reported Saturday, citing informed Japanese
sources.
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