YOG kicks off in Nanjing
Colorful life at Youth Olympic Village of Nanjing 2014 YOG
Royal Taoist temple to open to public
Female soldiers at quake-hit area
Shocking photos of cruel battles in Ukraine
Amphibious armored vehicle unit conducts open sea drill
Water relay in Henan
Ethnic culture feasts eyes of travelers
80 security dogs assembled in Nanjing police dog training base
Graffiti artists paint on street walls in Xinjiang
TOKYO, Aug. 27 -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a support message to a ceremony honoring Class-A and other war criminals, hailing them as "foundation of Japan," local media reported Wednesday.
The ceremony took place on April 29 at a temple in Wakayama Prefecture in western Japan. About 220 people prayed before a cenotaph on which the names of around 1,180 suspected and convicted World War II war criminals are inscribed.
They include 14 Class-A war criminals, who are also enshrined at the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japan's past aggression.
According to Japan's Asahi Shimbun, Abe's message, sent as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was read by the ceremony's host in front of all participants.
The message said: "I express my grief at the death of martyrs... who sacrificed their lives to form the foundation of peace and prosperity in Japan today."
He also pledged to "work towards the future harmonious coexistence of human beings," and hoped for "eternal peace."
The organizers said Abe is the only prime minister who sent message to the ceremony while in office since the event began in 1994.
If the prime minister really wants to realize "eternal peace," he should avoid a repeat of Japan's past mistakes and crimes, instead honoring war criminals as heroes and fanning up the country's nationalist sentiment, some observers here noted.
Special holidays
World's top 10 fighters
'Stewardesses' serve in hospital
Beautiful night scenery of Nanjing
‘Peace Mission -2014’ joint anti-terror military exercise kicks off in China
Eye-catching guides at the opening ceremony of YOG in Nanjing
A female missile launch company of PLA
China, the U.S., Britain and the Soviet Union call for Japan's unconditional surrender
The biggest duty-free store of the world
Volunteers bid farewell to YOG
More police dogs join anti-terror campaign in Inner Mongolia
Picturesque Dayilan Manchu village in NE China
Athletes experience the charm of Chinese traditional opera in Nanjing
Contestants for Miss Bikini World experience Chinese traditional cultureDay|Week|Month