The United States on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for a war shrine visit that infuriated Japan’s neighbors， in a rare break to usually unstinting US support to its ally.
向來大方支持盟國的美國，周四罕見地批評首相安倍晉三參拜神社並因此觸怒日本鄰國。
US advocacy of a stronger Japan -- including a more active security role -- has been a core principle for Washington in a region marked by the rise of China and an increasingly worrisome North Korea.
But Abe， known for his passionate belief that Japan should take greater pride in its history， defied US admonitions -- until now voiced quietly -- to stay away from the Yasukuni shrine， which venerates the souls of 2.5 million Japanese war dead.
"Japan is a valued ally and friend. Nevertheless， the United States is disappointed that Japan’s leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan’s neighbors，" a State Department statement said.
Abe made clear he did not intend to promote militarism， saying that he sought friendship with Chinese and Koreans， and had visited the shrine "to renew the pledge that Japan must never wage a war again."（AFP）