Taiwan has expressed regret over a visit by more than a hundred Japanese lawmakers to a controversial shrine in Tokyo. The Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan’s war dead, including executed war criminals, and is seen by many as a symbol of Japan’s wartime militarism.
In a statement on Thursday, foreign ministry spokeswoman Anna Kao said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Kao said that Taiwan has urged Japanese politicians to face up to history and reflect on Japan’s wartime past. She also called on Japan to refrain from actions that could hurt the feelings of the people in neighboring countries.