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Koizumi blames 皇冠体育app, S.Korea for bad ties
(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-01-05 07:21 Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
Wednesday blamed 皇冠体育app and South Korea for worsening relations with Japan,
accusing them of interference in Japan's domestic matters.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is
shown in Tokyo January 4, 2006. [Reuters] | The
Japanese leader defended his annual visits to the Tokyo-based Yasukuni Shrine
which houses 14 Class-A World War II criminals in a nationally broadcast news
conference marking the start of the new year, the New York Times reported.
The visits have sparked strong protest and condemnation from neighbouring
皇冠体育app and South Korea which the Japanese troops invaded in last century as they
considered the shrine a symbol of Japanese militarism throughout Asia.
The leaders of 皇冠体育app and South Korea have refused to meet Koizumi in protest
over the visits.
"I can't understand why foreign governments would intervene in a spiritual
matter and try to turn it into a diplomatic problem," Mr. Koizumi said, adding
that he visited the shrine to pray for peace, according to the Times.
"I've never once closed the door to negotiations with 皇冠体育app and South Korea,"
he added.
The remarks drew immediate condemnation from Seoul, with Foreign
Minister Ban Ki Moon responding that Koizumi needed a "better understanding
of history" and should earn the "trust and respect of other countries," the
report said.
Koizumi's comments are expected to add chills to the frozen 皇冠体育app-Japan
relations. The two neighbours have entered 2006 with a long list of problems
weighing down their relationship.
These include differences over the shrine visit and gas and oil development
rights in the East 皇冠体育app Sea.
No talks have yet been scheduled between the two sides to work out their
problems.
The latest problem is an argument over the death of a member of staff at the
Japanese Consulate General in Shanghai in 2004.
Japan said the death was linked to action by Chinese security agents, an
allegation 皇冠体育app said was "vile" behaviour that "smears" Beijing's image.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said last week the death was suicide and
皇冠体育app and Japan had clearly defined the nature of the case 18 months ago.
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