(VOVworld) – 85 Japanese lawmakers visited the Yasukuni Shrine in downtown Tokyo during a four-day autumn festival. Like many previous visits, it has angered China and South Korea.

A Shinto priest (right) leads a group of lawmakers at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Oct 18, 2016. (PHOTO: AFP)

The visit by lawmakers from various political parties on October 18, one day after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent offerings to the shine, has provoked backlash from Beijing and Seoul.  

Spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing blasted Abe’s offering, urging Japan to “reflect on its aggressive history and take concrete actions to win back the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community”.

South Korea has expressed its deep concern and disappointment after the Japanese lawmakers visited the shrine. It urged Japanese politicians to gain trust from neighboring countries and the international community by showing an act of humble introspection and sincere self-reflection on the basis of the correct perception of history.

The Yasukuni shrine is dedicated to the souls of about 2.5 million Japanese men, women, and children who died for their country in the middle of the 19^th century. At the centre of the shrine's controversy is the fact that those venerated include 14 convicted Class A war criminals after World War II, who was executed for war crimes in 1948.

Diplomatic controversy has regularly occurred when China and South Korea criticized Japan for worshipping war crimes. They have considered Yasukuni shrine a symbol of Japan’s militarism. Japanese leaders and officials’ visits to the shrine have angered Chinese and South Korean leaders and people. Many anti-Japan demonstrations have occurred in both countries.

Besides differences over Yasukuni shrine, Japan, China, and South Korea have disagreements relating to territorial disputes and strong competition on geopolitical strategy in the region. But above all, economic and trade cooperation has been the bright spot in their relations.