Japanese justice minister worships notorious war-linked Yasukuni Shrine

Japanese Justice Minister Mitsuhide Iwaki on Saturday paid homage to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's offering and Internal Affairs Minister Sanae Takaichi's visit earlier, despite neighboring China's urge to stop such provocative move.

The shrine honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals during World War II and is seen by countries victimized in Japan's wartime atrocities as a symbol of the country's past military expansionism.

"The Japanese side should face up to and deeply reflect on the history of the invasion, make a clean break from militarism, and regain trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community with concrete action," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Thursday commentating on Abe's offering.

On Friday, some 90 Japanese lawmakers also visited the notorious shrine during its spring festival from April 21-23.