U.S. disappointed at Japan PM Abe for visiting war shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe disappointed U.S. for visiting a war shrine located in Tokyo on Dec. 26, Thursday. While U.S. considers Japan as a close ally and friend, Abe's visit to the said shrine may pull tensions with Japan's neighboring countries.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo even issued an official statement regarding the Minister's visit to Yasukuni shrine.

The United States hopes that both Japan and its neighbors will find constructive ways to deal with sensitive issues from the past, to improve their relations, and to promote cooperation in advancing our shared goals of regional peace and stability.

We take note of the Prime Minister's expression of remorse for the past and his reaffirmation of Japan's commitment to peace.

Meanwhile, China and South Korea, countries both occupied by Japan in the past, condemned Abe's act. The countries said, the shrine visit is but Japan's celebration of an imperial past and dominance.