Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi once again showed insensitivity to the feelings of fellow Asians by going to Yasukuni Shrine on New Year's Day to honor Japan's war dead. Convicted Class-A war criminals are among those whose memories are enshrined there.
Former Prime Ministers Yasuhiro Nakasone and Ryutaro Hashimoto had visited the Tokyo shrine while in office, but they stopped their visits following protests from China and South Korea. Each of Koizumi's four visits to the shrine since he took office in April 2001 has evoked protests from China and South Korea. He is keeping his public vow to pay his respects at the shrine every year.
On his latest visit, Koizumi said he prayed for Japan's prosperity and peace, but the comment rang hollow coming from a man who was well aware that his visit would sour relations with Japan's neighboring countries.