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             Japan's Abe Sends Offering to Controversial War Shrine

   Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has sent a ritual offering to a war
   shrine that many see as a symbol of Tokyo`s imperialist past.
   But Prime Minister Abe did not personally visit the Yasukuni Shrine on
   Thursday, the first day of an annual autumn festival.
   China and South Korea, both victims of Japanese war-time aggression,
   regularly complain when Japanese leaders visit the Tokyo facility.
   Yasukuni honors Japan`s nearly 2.5 million war dead, including 14
   convicted World War Two war criminals.
   This is the third time Mr. Abe has sent an offering to the shrine since
   becoming prime minister in December.
   Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said it is not the
   government`s place to comment on such "personal acts," but said he
   understood the sentiment being expressed.
   "Praying for those who have given their lives to protect their country
   from threats both inside and out and paying one`s respects is only
   natural."
   A shrine official confirmed that Mr. Abe`s offering was received,
   noting that it was made in the name of the prime minister.
   There have been no responses from China or South Korea, which have
   recently accused Japan of not showing proper remorse for its past.
   China-Japan ties have also been damaged by a recent flare-up in a
   territorial dispute over a group of uninhabited islands in the East
   China Sea.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/japans-abe-sends-offering-to-controve
   rsial-war-shrine/1771336.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/japans-abe-sends-offering-to-controversial-war-shrine/1771336.html