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China upset over Japanese PM's visit to war shrine

China has called in the Japanese Ambassador over the his Prime Minister's visit to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.

Tokyo correspondent Mark Simkin reports Jun'ichiro Koizumi's visit came as a surprise.

Yasukuni commemorates Japan's war dead including convicted war criminals. Many countries see it as a symbol of military aggression. In August last year when the Prime Minister paid an official visit two days before the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War two, he was condemned by Beijing and Seoul. The timing and low key nature of today's visit was clearly an attempt to make the event less controversial. Mr Koizumi says he will not return to shrine this year. Mark Simkin, Tokyo.

22/04/2002 10:04:53 | ABC Radio Australia News

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