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Koizumi's Yasukuni visit renews tensions

Japan sought April 24 to limit fallout from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's April 21 visit to Yasukuni shrine after China postponed a visit by Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in anger.

A day earlier, China confirmed it had requested postponement of the minister's trip scheduled to start April 27 and would delay a visit to Japan by Chinese naval vessels set for May, the first such visit ever.

But analysts said both Tokyo and Beijing would strive to keep the feud from interfering with celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations this year.

Some analysts said Japan's relations with South Korea, which has also protested the shrine visit, could deteriorate further if Seoul follows Beijing's example and acts on its words.

Koizumi last year riled Beijing and Seoul when he paid homage at Yasukuni Shrine two days ahead of the Aug. 15 anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.

This year he apparently timed his visit to avoid a date, which resonates with emotion for Asian nations that suffered from Japan's past military aggression.

But not going at all would have done damage at home, analysts said.

Shukan ST: May 3, 2002

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News Koizumi's Yasukuni visit renews tensions Japan sought April 24 to limit fallout from Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's April 21 visit to Yasukuni shrine after China postponed a visit by Defense Minister Gen Nakatani in anger. A day earlier, China confirmed it had requested postponement of the minister's trip scheduled to start April 27 and would delay a visit to Japan by Chinese naval vessels set for May, the first such visit ever. But analysts said both Tokyo and Beijing would strive to keep the feud from interfering with celebrations for the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations this year. Some analysts said Japan's relations with South Korea, which has also protested the shrine visit, could deteriorate further if Seoul follows Beijing's example and acts on its words. Koizumi last year riled Beijing and Seoul when he paid homage at Yasukuni Shrine two days ahead of the Aug. 15 anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II. This year he apparently timed his visit to avoid a date, which resonates with emotion for Asian nations that suffered from Japan's past military aggression. But not going at all would have done damage at home, analysts said. Shukan ST: May 3, 2002 (C) All rights reserved