[cartan]

The Chinese were testing Abe's resolve, provoking incidents at the Senkaku islands. He had to show that he would not be intimidated and was not afraid of the Chinese, and that Japan is willing to defend its interests. Visiting the Yasukuni shrine does that very easily. Other prime ministers have done it before, including Koizumi.

I have visited it, too, but it did not make any headlines, unfortunately ;-)

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

Abe’s laying of the wreayh now does not excuse every past act of other Japanese PM’s laying wreaths at this shrine, nor make it right for Abe doing so now at this war criminal shrine. Other Japanese leaders have found other ways to defy China and good for them.

Do you think that apart from China’s actions, this shrine is worthy of being dismantled? I imagine many Americans would think so.

No anti-American shrines.