Accessibility links

Breaking News

Japanese PM’s Wife Visits Controversial Shrine


FILE - Visitors hang fortune blessing papers at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Dec. 26, 2013.
FILE - Visitors hang fortune blessing papers at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Dec. 26, 2013.

Japan's first lady has visited the Yasukuni shrine honoring the country's war dead, including convicted war criminals, in a move that risks outraging neighboring countries that suffered under Japan's World War II aggression.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife Akie does not hold political office, but her visit could be seen as symbolic.

Visits by politicians to Yasukuni have in the past angered Japan's neighbors, such as China and South Korea.

Akie Abe posted photos on Facebook of her standing in front of Yasukuni on Thursday.

She says she felt her heart ache while reading the wills and letters soldiers wrote to their families that are exhibited at Yasukuni.

XS
SM
MD
LG