Abe sends ritual offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Abe sends ritual offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Oct. 17, 2014, shows a "masakaki" tree, a ritual offering, with the nameboard of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who dedicated it to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The offering suggests that Abe will refrain from visiting the shrine during its autumn festival to leave room for mending ties with China and South Korea.

Party for Future Generations established

Party for Future Generations established

TOKYO, Japan - Former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara (R) and former trade minister Takeo Hiranuma show Aug. 1, 2014, a nameboard of the Party for Future Generations, a new political party, in Tokyo. Hiranuma is to head, and Ishihara is to serve as the top adviser of the party.

Taliban in Qatar

Taliban in Qatar

DOHA, Qatar - Reporters stand near an office of the Afghan-based Taliban in Doha, Qatar, on June 20, 2013. On the outer wall are traces of a removed nameboard.

Abe sends ritual offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

Abe sends ritual offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken on Oct. 17, 2014, shows a "masakaki" tree, a ritual offering, with the nameboard of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who dedicated it to the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The offering suggests that Abe will refrain from visiting the shrine during its autumn festival to leave room for mending ties with China and South Korea. (Kyodo)

Party for Future Generations established

Party for Future Generations established

TOKYO, Japan - Former Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara (R) and former trade minister Takeo Hiranuma show Aug. 1, 2014, a nameboard of the Party for Future Generations, a new political party, in Tokyo. Hiranuma is to head, and Ishihara is to serve as the top adviser of the party. (Kyodo)