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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he wants to explain to leaders in China and South Korea why he visited the Yasukuni Shrine¹, which honours the country’s war dead.

Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister, said, "I have always said that the door is open for dialogue. I have publicly stated my strong wish to hold Japan-China and Japan-South Korea summit meetings. I think in this way I am showing my direct approach. We should have open discussions without preconditions between the leaders and I hope that China and South Korea will take the same stance. I would like to sincerely explain to them my true intentions for my visit to Yasukuni shrine."

Abe added that it has been 68 years since the Japanese constitution was established, and it’s time for a national discussion on revising and adapting it to changing times. The plan is popular with some Japanese, though polls show the majority are more concerned about the economy.

China and South Korea reacted angrily to Abe’s December 26 visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 class A war criminals are enshrined along with 2.5 million war dead. The Chinese Foreign Ministry² said earlier Abe would not be welcome in Beijing until he admits his mistake.