In response to media queries on Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine on 15 August 2006, the MFA Spokesman said:
"We regret the visit by PM Koizumi as Prime Minister to the Yasukuni Shrine this morning. The Singapore Government's position on the visit to the Yasukuni Shrine has been articulated many times and remains unchanged. These visits are both a Japanese domestic issue and an international diplomatic concern. From the latter point of view, it is a fact that such visits have and will continue to provoke strong reactions in China, Korea and other parts of Asia. They thus are not helpful to the larger common interest of building closer relations and cooperation in East Asia, including Southeast Asia. We hope that this larger common interest which Japan undoubtedly shares will not be overlooked by Japan."
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
15 AUGUST 2006