Japan shrine visit angers China

Critics say the shrine glorifies Japan's militarist past

Four Japanese ministers have paid homage to the country's war dead with a visit to a shrine, which critics say celebrates Japan's military past.

Their visit to the Yasukuni shrine - on the 59th anniversary of Japan's surrender during World War II - sparked anger from neighbouring China.

The Chinese foreign ministry swiftly issued a statement saying it deeply regretted the ministers' actions.

Yasukuni is dedicated to the souls of about 2.5 million who died for Japan.

Those venerated include 14 convicted class A war criminals, including wartime Prime Minister General Hideki Tojo.

YASUKUNI SHRINE Built in 1869 to honour victims of the Boshin Civil War Now venerates the souls of 2.5m of Japan's war dead Those enshrined include 14 Class A war criminals Japan's controversial shrine

"The Chinese side hopes the Japanese side will honour its word by facing up to history," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

In April, a Japanese court ruled that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the shrine were illegal.

The visits breached a constitutional separation of religion and state, it ruled.

Mr Koizumi avoided the shrine on Sunday, marking the anniversary by vowing to pursue peace at a ceremony near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.