Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's statement at his New Year news conference has added stress to Japan's already strained relations with China and South Korea. He defiantly criticized the two neighboring countries for refusing summit talks with Japan because of his repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine.
When asked what he can do to improve Japan's relations with both countries, Mr. Koizumi said that on the basis of strong relations between Japan and the United States he would like to push cooperative relations with China, South Korea and other Asian nations. Then Mr. Koizumi said, "I believe it is better not to turn Yasukuni into a diplomatic issue. . . . I cannot understand the stance that they will not hold diplomatic negotiations or summit talks because they have a different opinion over one issue. . . . I have never closed the door to negotiations with either China or South Korea. It is always open." The shrine honors Japan's 2.47 million war dead as well as 14 Class-A war criminals.
He went on to say: "The fact that they say they will not take part in negotiations because I have visited Yasukuni is tantamount to saying that the issue has ceased to be an item that should be diplomatically handled. . . . China and South Korea should not close the door to (summit) talks or to negotiations because of this single issue."