Mr. Koizumi told reporters on Saturday that his ministry would send a team of specialists to investigate the damage in Mauritius. According to the news agency Reuters, he described the oil spill as a grave crisis that could lead to a loss of biodiversity.
Mr. Abe, who has recently dialed back his public appearances, sent a ritual offering of cash to Yasukuni on Saturday, as well as flowers to be laid at a cemetery near the shrine.
In a speech at a Tokyo ceremony commemorating the end of the war, Mr. Abe said: “Under the flag of proactive pacifism, by holding hands with the international community, we are determined to play a role more than ever to resolve various challenges.”
Emperor Naruhito, appearing with his wife, Empress Masako, also addressed the ceremony, expressing “feelings of deep remorse” for the war.
In using those words, he continued a tradition begun by his father, Akihito, who abdicated last year. Akihito added that phrase to his annual remarks in 2015, after Mr. Abe pushed through legislation that opened the door to letting the Japanese military fight in foreign conflicts.
Hisako Ueno contributed reporting from Tokyo and Choe Sang-Hun from Seoul, South Korea.
Source Article from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/15/world/asia/japan-yasukuni-shrine.html
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