Reuters - Video

Edition: US | UK | IN | CN | JP

video Video

Bernanke steps into the spotlight
Bernanke steps into the spotlight - 02:13
The official royal wedding guest list revealed
The official royal wedding guest list revealed - 01:23
Shuttle astronauts arrive at Cape Canaveral
Shuttle astronauts arrive at Cape Canaveral - 01:18
Waiting for Bernanke
Waiting for Bernanke - 01:51
Hospital staff flee border fighting
Hospital staff flee border fighting - 01:10
Thousands at Sai Baba funeral
Thousands at Sai Baba funeral - 01:03
Al Qaeda releases hostage messages
Al Qaeda releases hostage messages - 01:43
Obama calls birth controversy \
Obama calls birth controversy "distracting" - 05:29
Three blasts hit Kirkuk
Three blasts hit Kirkuk - 01:25
Protests intensify in Yemen
Protests intensify in Yemen - 01:24
Border clashes displace thousands
Border clashes displace thousands - 01:50
S&P Credit Rating Warning Helpful - Lister
S&P Credit Rating Warning Helpful - Lister - 00:53

Shinzo shrine visit prompts backlash

Thursday, December 26, 2013 - 01:41

Dec. 26 - A controversial move by Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe generates backlash in the region. Julie Noce reports.

▲ Hide Transcript

▶ View Transcript

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe angered countries in the region Thursday by visiting a controversial shrine that honours Japan's war dead. The Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is dedicated to those who died in war- as well as Japanese leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal. Chinese and South Korean leaders have consistently critised Japanese politicians who visit the shrine. As he was leaving, Abe said he prayed for those who lost their lives and that he didn't mean to offend anyone. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, SHINZO ABE, SAYING: "I have absolutely no intention of hurting the feelings of the people of China and Korea from the very beginning. That is the same thinking of all the prime ministers before me who have visited Yasukuni Shrine." Still, the move was not taken lightly. A spokesperson for the South Korean government said it was impossible NOT to express anger over the act and said the shrine beautifies war. And in China, a similar sentiment. The Chinese government condemned Japanese leaders for ruthlessly trampling the feelings of Chinese people, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. We urge Japan to reflect on its' history of aggression. Some political experts say Abe likely chose to visit the shrine now because his high voter ratings could withstand the criticism and that it would help shore up support amongst his conservative base. The visit marks the first time a sitting Japanese prime minister has visited the shrine since 2006.

Press CTRL+C (Windows), CMD+C (Mac), or long-press the URL below on your mobile device to copy the code

Close

Shinzo shrine visit prompts backlash

Thursday, December 26, 2013 - 01:41

Featured Videos

From Iceland to Russia - two fans drive to World Cup in a Lada

From Iceland to Russia - two fans drive to World Cup in a Lada

Two Iceland fans pay homage to the spirit of the Vikings by driving to the World Cup in a Russian-built Lada
Craft beer and WW2 - Russia's football venues

Craft beer and WW2 - Russia's football venues

With fans around the globe fixed on Russia, Reuters has asked its correspondents in the lesser-known World Cup venues what they've found memorable
Viking culture comes alive in Kaliningrad village

Viking culture comes alive in Kaliningrad village

World Cup fans have a chance to see how the Vikings lived at a rebuilt settlement close to modern-day Kaliningrad, one of the host cities of the tournament
Wearing bast shoes, fans test their skills at Mordovian football

Wearing bast shoes, fans test their skills at Mordovian football

Mordovian football, dubbed 'lapotball', refers to the traditional shoes made of vine which Mordovian residents used to wear in olden days
Boring Co to build high-speed commuter system in Chicago

Boring Co to build high-speed commuter system in Chicago

Chicago has selected billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's Boring Co to build a high-speed underground commuter system from the downtown Loop district to O'Hare International Airport