Japanese PM Wants To Explain Controversial Shrine Visit To China and South Korea

The Yasukuni Shrine honors Japanese war dead, including war criminals

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday that he wants to explain to leaders in China and South Korea about his visits to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honours the country's war dead, but Beijing again called on him to correct his views on Japan's role in World War II.

Abe said that Japan has not made any direct overtures, but he hopes the leaders can meet to help resolve antagonism over territorial disputes and historical issues.

"At the moment, there is no plan for a summit meeting, but since there are some difficulties and issues we should be speaking together without setting any preconditions," he told reporters after making a New Year's visit to the Grand Shrine of Ise, in western Japan.