Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda ruled out yesterday a visit to Tokyo's Yasakuni shrine, seen by many in Asia as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, on the Aug 15 anniversary of the country's surrender in World War II.
Former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi upset China and the Republic of Korea by visiting the shrine when he was in power and Japanese lawmakers, including some serving Cabinet ministers, visit the Shinto shrine each anniversary to honor the war dead.
Asked whether he will go to Yasukuni shrine this month on the 63rd anniversary of Japan's surrender, Fukuda, who will attend the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony this week, told reporters: "Please look at my past behavior."
The 72-year-old premier vowed last year that he would not pay his respects at the shrine, which venerates Japan's 2.5 million war dead, including some convicted war criminals.
Finance Minister Bunmei Ibuki, newly appointed in a Cabinet reshuffle last week, also said he would not visit the shrine on the anniversary.
Japan's Jiji Press reported that Justice Minister Okiharu Yasuoka and Agricultural Minister Seiichi Ota were the only two of the Fukuda's 17 Cabinet members who said they planned to visit the shrine on the anniversary.
Questions:
1. In which city is the contentious shrine located?
2. What was the name of Japan’s previous Prime Minister?
3. What is the date of the anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II?
Answers:
1. Tokyo.
2. Junichiro Koizumi .
3. Aug 15.
（英語點津 Helen 編輯）
Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.
He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.
Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.
