KARUNA SHINSHO, CNN ANCHOR, ASIA TONIGHT: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is urging regional neighbors not to doubt Japan's commitment to peace. Mr. Koizumi's visit to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo attracted anger from China and South Korea. Both countries were invaded by Japan in the first half of the 20th century. Rebecca MacKinnon has more on Mr. Koizumi's visit.</s>REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni War Shrine ended up a compromise, but that didn't diminish the media attention or enthusiasm of the crowds who came to cheer him on. He was led inside by a traditional Shinto priest, but did not follow the religious rituals considered inappropriate for a prime minister. He had originally planned to visit on Wednesday, August 15th, anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. "As August 15th drew closer," he said, "there were those at home and abroad who misunderstood my true intentions. I want, from the bottom of my heart, to maintain friendly ties with neighboring countries." Among the 2.5 million war-dead honored here are 14 convicted war criminals, considered responsible for Japanese atrocities in Asia. There are also Koreans conscripted into the Japanese army during World War II and enshrined against the wishes of their families, families who say Koizumi's visit on any date is an insult to their memories. Veterans of the war say they would have preferred a visit on August 15th, but they're glad he went. This college student says he's worried the prime minister is encouraging the rise of Japanese nationalism. But Koizumi insists his sole purpose in visiting the shrine was to reaffirm Japan's commitment never to go to war again. Rebecca MacKinnon, CNN Tokyo.
Japanese Prime Minster Visits War Shrine in Tokyo