Japanese ministers visited the war shrine in Tokyo Friday, which earned the ire of China and South Korea that could lead to protests.

According to reports, Japanese ministers paying their respects may possibly renew anger of their neighbors China and South Korea that could put to risk their already weakened ties.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was not present during the visit, but he sent a representative to pay respects in his stead. Among the cabinet ministers who paid their respects were Yoshitaka Shindo, the Internal Affairs Minister.

Lawmaker Koichi Hagiuda, who visited the shrine on the Prime Minister's behalf, said the Prime Minister pays his respect to the people who died for the country.

Instead, Abe honored the dead at Budokan Hall to prevent inciting possible protests.

Meanwhile, Japanese citizens and politicians alike expressed their views on the visit. They believe that it is only natural for them to pay homage to the people who sacrificed their lives for their nation.

A member of the Japanese parliament said that as a citizen, he honors the dead and prays for "world peace."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit last December had earned hostile reaction from its Asian neighbors. Reports said that the Prime Minister's action immediately cooled Japan's ties with China and South Korea. The reports added that cautious attempts to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping have not made progress.

The Yasukuni shrine was built to honor the Japanese who died during the World War II. It includes 14 Japanese leaders who were condemned of war crimes. Many Japanese visit the shrine to honor the dead.

Japan committed unthinkable atrocities to its Asian neighbors during the World War II. A visit to the shrine reminds the Chinese and South Koreans of Japan's war crimes.

TagsPrime Minister Shinzo Abe, shrine visit, Yasukuni Shrine, Japanese ministers, World War II