Japan Respects China's Decision to Postpone Talks

Junichiro Koizumi, the Prime Minister of Japan, stated that he respects China's decision to postpone discussions between the two countries regarding defense issues, in protest of his visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Sunday. The Prime Minister made this statement a day after China announced its decision to delay a previously scheduled visit by Japanese defense officials to Beijing and the docking of a Chinese warship at a Japanese port. North Korea also strongly criticized Koizumi's controversial visit to the Yasukuni Shrine. A spokesperson for the North Korean Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Mr. Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine was an ill-considered action that provoked anger and astonishment among all. Nearly 2.5 million Japanese soldiers who died in World War II are buried in this cemetery, including 14 leaders who were later convicted as war criminals. During World War II, the then Japanese government used the Yasukuni Shrine to bolster Japanese nationalist sentiments and to conquer Asian countries. Last year, the Prime Minister also visited the shrine, provoking anger from Asian countries that have very bitter memories of Japan's imperialist aggression.