Senior LDP executive visits Yasukuni shrine

A senior executive of Japan's ruling Liberal Democractic Party visited

the war-linked Yasukuni shrine on Sunday, a day after other

top party members went to the site to mark the 81st anniversary of the

end of the Second World War.

Takayuki Kobayashi, LDP's policy chief, says he did not attend on Saturday

as he had to deal with

the aftermath of the heavy rain that hit areas in Chiba Prefecture

where he has his constituency.

Kobayashi claims he paid his visit as a family member, as his

grandfather died in the war.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Japan said on Saturday

that Japanese political leaders' latest moves constitute a serious challenge

to the victorious outcomes of the Second World War and the post-war

international order.

The spokesperson said the Chinese side firmly opposes and condemns

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ritual offering to the shire, as well as visits to the

shrine by cabinet ministers and other officials.