“Unfortunately, a Yasukuni visit has largely turned into a political and diplomatic issue,” he said. “It is not my intention to hurt the feelings of the Chinese and Korean people.”
He said he believes Japan must never wage war again: “This is my conviction, based on the severe remorse for the past.”
His statements failed to assuage concerns.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke scathingly of Abe's visit and summoned Japan's ambassador to protest.
The visit “has created major new political obstacles for already strained Sino-Japanese relations, and China won't ever tolerate it. Japan must bear all the responsibilities caused by Abe's move,” Wang said, adding that if Japan intentionally continues to exacerbate tensions and antagonism, “China will surely keep it company to the end.”
