China criticizes Japanese Cabinet members' visit to notorious shrine

BEIJING -- China on Wednesday urged Japan to face up to history after two cabinet ministers visited the notorious Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo during the annual Autumn Festival.

The two ministers were Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Sanae Takaichi and Katsunobu Kato, minister for promoting dynamic engagement of all citizens.

Both cabinet ministers are close allies of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who himself visited the shrine on Monday.

"[The fact] that Japanese Cabinet members visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which not only honors Class-A convicted war criminals but also beautifies war, again, reflects the Japanese government's unhealthy attitude toward its past transgressions," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

"China is firmly opposed to this," she said.