Chinese ministries denounce Japan as defence chief visits controversial shrine and Prime Minister 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.