Koizumi's Yasukuni Visit: A Symptom of Japan's Wartime Amnesia The recent visit by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine has reignited a long standing issue in Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors.
For some, the shrine is a sacred site for honoring Japan's war dead; for others, it symbolizes the country's militaristic past and lack of remorse over wartime atrocities.
Koizumi's visit, consistent with his previous attendance at the shrine, has sparked renewed criticism from China and South Korea.