Salmond is credited with helping to push support for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom
world5 days ago
Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Thursday sent a ritual offering to a shrine honouring the country's war dead that has long angered neighbouring countries, a spokesman for the site said.
No Japanese premier has visited Yasukuni Shrine since 2013 and Ishiba's predecessor Fumio Kishida would also regularly send offerings for its biannual spring and autumn festivals.
Yasukuni in central Tokyo is dedicated to 2.5 million war dead, mostly Japanese, who have perished in conflicts since the late 19th century.
But this includes senior military and political figures convicted by an international tribunal of war crimes prior to and during World War II.
Every year, dozens of lawmakers pay their respects during the spring and autumn festival and in August for the anniversary of the emperor announcing Japan's surrender in 1945.
But a Japanese prime minister has not appeared there since 2013, when Shinzo Abe sparked fury in Beijing and Seoul and earned a rare diplomatic rebuke from close ally the United States.
Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Takamaro Fukuoka also sent a "masakaki" tree offering, the spokesman for the shrine told AFP.
Seoul expressed "deep disappointment and regret that responsible leaders in Japan have once again offered tribute or visited the Yasukuni Shrine", South Korea's foreign ministry said Thursday.
"We urge the leaders of the new Japanese cabinet to squarely face history and show through action humble reflection and genuine atonement for past wrongdoings."
When asked about the matter at a regular briefing, Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called Yasukuni "a symbol of Japan's militaristic war of aggression".
"We urge Japan to face up to and reflect on its history of aggression (and) to be cautious in words and deeds regarding historical issues such as Yasukuni Shrine," she said.
That will help Japan "gain the trust of Asian neighbours and the international community through concrete actions", Mao added.
Salmond is credited with helping to push support for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom
world5 days ago
Around 2,000 workers walked off the job in September at Hilton's largest hotel in the world
world5 days ago
In a message to employees, the company's CEO said downsizing is necessary "to align with our financial reality"
world5 days ago
The company is also suspending one flight a day between London Heathrow and Doha
world6 days ago
The airport was put on alert mode as the Air India Express flight circled in the air for over two hours to burn off fuel
world6 days ago
The country's foreign ministry said that all sides in the conflict had an obligation to protect peacekeepers.
world6 days ago
The anti-nuclear group was recognised for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons
world6 days ago
As part of attempts to avoid being caught in the crossfire, Gulf states have refused to let Israel fly over their airspace for any attack on Iran
world1 week ago