[Editorial] Opportunistic Behavior of Japanese Prime Minister.

Sudden visit to temple Yaskuni by Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro, few days ago, was haughty attitude that ignored neighboring countries like Korea, China, etc.

We, who couldn`t expect such behavior due to preparation for joint hosting of World cup, were shocked once again following his first visit in last August.

It is said that this visit was a planned one as it would not have been effective before and after defeated day in August, considering World cup event and 30th memorial ceremony of China-Japan amity in September.

However, Prime Minister Koizumi should realize that development of relations between Japan and neighboring nations will not improve as long as he continues such opportunistic behavior.

As it is well known that temple Yaskuni is the symbol of Japanese militarism where mortuary tablets of A grade war criminals of Pacific Ocean war lies.

Therefore, visit to the temple by Prime minister has been objected not only by neighboring nations but also domestic conscious people.

However, Prime Minister Koizumi carried out such controversial things two times after resuming office.

I wonder till when Japan leadership will continue behavior against stream of history ignoring neighboring nations.

Government seems to have ended up the issue by calling Japanese ambassador in Korea and protesting it.

However, it is hard to expect remarkable achievement through such negative response.

Our government responded powerlessly on matters of distorting Japanese history text books, visit to Yaskuni by Prime Minister last August, and dispute of fishing grounds.

Therefore, this thing happened again.

Government should be changed.

Although World cup is near to our eyes, this matter should be taken care of independently from World cup.

Government should pursue all measures besides reinforcing co-operation with China, in order to correct Japanese wrong behavior basically.

We do not want to go through unpleasant things any more, which repeats every year.