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Japanese PM hints not to visit Yasukuni on Aug 15

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-08-10 22:53

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso hinted Monday that he will not make a visit to the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo for those killed in the World War II on Aug 15, Kyodo News reported.

Related readings:  Japan party set to shun war shrine  Japan's PM unlikely to visit Yasukuni on August 15

This year's August 15 marks the 64 anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender.

The Shrine deserves "quiet prayers", Aso was quoted as saying.

"I think it is wrong to make people who sacrificed their precious lives for the state a political or election issue or fodder for newspapers," he said.

In April, Aso sent an offering to the shrine, where 14 Class A war criminals are honored. The move drew grave concern and dissatisfaction from some Asian countries who suffered from its World War II atrocities.