Japan defence minister visits shine

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Saturday visited a shrine to the nation’s war dead, which Asian neighbours see as a symbol of wartime aggression, as Japan marked the 81st anniversary of its surrender in World War Two. Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, wore a dark suit and tie as he visited Yasukuni Shrine, local media images showed. He has visited in the past, including as agriculture minister last year. Kimi Onoda, minister for economic security, also visited on Saturday, according to public broadcaster NHK. “China strongly condemns the negative moves by the Japanese side concerning the Yasukuni Shrine, and has already lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with Japan,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. China and South Korea have said visits by senior Japanese officials gloss over Tokyo’s wartime actions and damage diplomatic ties. Among the 2.5 million war dead commemorated