Group of lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine

Group of lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine

TOKYO, Japan - Members of a suprapartisan group of lawmakers who make a point of visiting Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead as well as war criminals, follow a Shinto priest (front) to offer prayers at the shrine in Tokyo on Oct. 18, 2011, during its autumn festival. Sixty-eight member lawmakers of the group visited the shrine, according to the group. None of the participants hold Cabinet or other government posts.

Lawmakers group demands return of abductees in 1 month

Lawmakers group demands return of abductees in 1 month

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuei Hirasawa (standing), a House of Representatives legislator, speaks at a meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 4 of lawmakers supporting families of Japanese abducted to North Korea. The suprapartisan lawmakers urged Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to realize the return to Japan of surviving abductees within a month.

Lawmakers group demands return of abductees in 1 month

Lawmakers group demands return of abductees in 1 month

TOKYO, Japan - Katsuei Hirasawa (standing), a House of Representatives legislator, speaks at a meeting in Tokyo on Oct. 4 of lawmakers supporting families of Japanese abducted to North Korea. The suprapartisan lawmakers urged Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to realize the return to Japan of surviving abductees within a month. (Kyodo)

Group of lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine

Group of lawmakers visit Yasukuni Shrine

TOKYO, Japan - Members of a suprapartisan group of lawmakers who make a point of visiting Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan's war dead as well as war criminals, follow a Shinto priest (front) to offer prayers at the shrine in Tokyo on Oct. 18, 2011, during its autumn festival. Sixty-eight member lawmakers of the group visited the shrine, according to the group. None of the participants hold Cabinet or other government posts. (Kyodo)