Beijing protests after Japanese defence chief pays visit to controversial shrine and Sanae Takaichi sends ritual offering.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has prayed at Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Japan’s Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country’s past militarism.

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Saturday prayed at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, seen by Japan’s Asian neighbors as a symbol of the country’s past militarism.