Dozens of Japanese lawmakers visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine on Friday, the day Japan marks the end of World War Two.

Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan’s war dead. Those remembered include leaders convicted of war crimes after the war.

Fifty-two lawmakers from a nonpartisan group visited the shrine, as well as all the Diet members of the opposition party Sanseito.

Finance Minister Kato Katsunobu and Agriculture Minister Koizumi Shinjiro also paid visits.

Koizumi told reporters that it is important to show respect to people who gave their lives for the country.

Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru did not visit in person, but made a private cash offering in his capacity as president of the Liberal Democratic Party.

As Japan marks 80 years since the end of the war, Ishiba expressed his hope to release a message in September or afterward.

His message is expected to follow the historical perceptions of previous Cabinets, while focusing on analysis on why the war happened, and elucidating a path for peace.

AloJapan.com