Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi recently visited a controversial shrine in Tokyo. The Yasukuni Shrine is viewed by neighboring countries as a symbol of Japan's past militarism. Koizumi has been to the shrine multiple times, including on occasions marking the end of World War II.

The visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine have been met with criticism from China and South Korea. They see these visits as a lack of remorse for Japan's wartime actions. Further details on the visit and its implications are available from KSAT 12's source.