TOKYO
China on Monday asked Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to “not repeat history,” after remarks by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader on the controversial war-linked Yasukuni shrine.
“This year marks the 80th anniversary of the commencement of the Tokyo Trials. As we mark the anniversary, Japan should particularly face up to and reflect on its history of aggression, exercise prudence in words and deeds on major historical issues such as Yasukuni Shrine, not to repeat history, and make a complete break with militarism with real actions,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.
“Amnesia of history means betrayal,” said Lin.
After securing an unprecedented legislative win for the LDP in Sunday’s snap elections, Takaichi said she will “first seek understanding” from Japan’s ally, the US, and neighbors” before she makes any visit to the controversial shrine.
She was addressing questions during a TV program.
The controversial shrine in the capital Tokyo honors Japan’s convicted war criminals as well as the war dead from the times of Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula and parts of China.
Past visits by prime ministers and lawmakers have triggered backlash from China as well as South Korea — both of which have suffered under Japan’s aggression.
“I’ve been trying to prepare an environment,” Takaichi told the TV program. “I will secure understanding from our ally and neighboring countries,” she said, referring to a potential visit, Kyodo News reported.
Takaichi’s mentor Shinzo Abe was the last sitting Japanese prime minister who visited the controversial place in 2013, drawing disappointment from Washington.
Her statement came as the LDP won more than a two-thirds majority in the 465-seat lower house of the parliament after Takaichi called a snap election on Sunday.
The LDP secured 315 seats and, along with its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, the duo gained a supermajority of 351 seats, paving the way for a smooth, fresh tenure of Takaichi, whose bills, even if objected to by the upper house, could successfully sail through the parliament.
While the LDP has almost uninterruptedly ruled Japan since 1955, this is the first time in the post-war era that the LDP has secured a supermajority in the parliament.
On the LDP’s win, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin said: “This election has reflected some deep-seated structural problems as well as the evolving trends of ideological currents, which deserve profound reflection by visionary individuals from all walks of life in Japan and the international community at large.”
“Lessons from history are close at hand and must not be ignored,” he said, urging Tokyo to abide by four political documents between the two sides.
