Abe rapped for war shrine offering

By Zhang Yunbi (China Daily) Updated: 2014-04-22 07:16

A wooden sign (C) reading "Prime Minister Shinzo Abe" is seen on a ritual offering from the prime minister to Yasukuni Shrine at the shrine in Tokyo in this picture taken by Kyodo April 21, 2014. Abe has sent the ritual offering to the shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, media reported on Monday. [Photo/Agencies]

Yang said Washington may tolerate an increasing assertiveness in Japan's defense policy to ensure US engagement in the region, but the Obama administration is unlikely to tolerate playing to the far right.

"Reactions from Washington toward Abe's cabinet provocations were negative. This is to prevent US strategic interests in the region from being affected by the diplomatic deadlock between Japan and its neighbors - China and South Korea," Yang said.

When Abe walked past journalists on Monday morning, one asked about his feelings about the offering.

Abe shied away from the question and just replied "good morning", according to Japanese television.

Suga, the top government spokesman, also did not comment on Abe's offering but did say it will not affect Obama's trip to Tokyo. "There will be no impact at all," Suga said.

Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said Washington has already expressed unease with Japan, its traditional ally, because "Abe is increasingly unreliable and unpredictable".

When visiting Japan last year, US Vice-President Joe Biden warned Tokyo against provocations that will anger Japan's neighbors, but Abe ignored them, Ruan said.

"Washington expected Tokyo to show more sincerity, not to mention Tokyo's attempts to manipulate the US-Japan alliance for Japan's own agenda," Ruan said.

Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Norihisa Tamura and speakers of both chambers of the Japanese Diet also made offerings to the shrine on Monday.

Keiji Furuya, chairman of Japan's National Public Safety Commission, visited the shrine on Sunday and Yoshitaka Shindo, internal affairs minister, visited earlier this month.

Zhou Yongsheng, a professor of Japan studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said although Abe has considered possible criticisms from the US and Europe against the shrine visit, he has refused to restrain his cabinet members from visiting the shrine.

"Actually he is trying to mislead the whole world by projecting an image of frequent visits by cabinet members to the shrine," Zhou said.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn