Pentagon chief urges Japan to improve relations with neighbors

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Saturday urged Japanto improve relations with its neighboring countries after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to a controversial war shrine in late December fueled tensions with China and South Korea. [Abe's shrine visit may lead to falling of his administration]

"Secretary Hagel underscored the importance of Japan taking steps to improve relations with its neighbors," US Defense Department said in a statement summarizing the telephone talks between Hagel and his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera.

Hagel also called on Japan to promote cooperation in advancing the goal of regional peace and stability, according to the statement.[Abe's shrine visit a foreign policy mistake: US analysts]

Abe's visit to the Yasukuni shrine, which honors Japan's war dead including 14 convicted Class-A war criminals from WWII, has drawn worldwide condemnation and criticism with officials and media warning of its adverse impact on regional peace and stability in East Asia.

"We were disappointed that Japan's leadership has taken an action that will exacerbate tensions with Japan's neighbors," US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said at a press briefing on Monday.

Abe raises militarist specter

In the Harry Potter story, the dark wizard Voldemort dies because the seven horcruxes, which contain parts of his soul, have been destroyed. If militarism is like the haunting Voldemort of Japan, the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is a kind of horcrux, representing the darkest parts of that nation's soul. >>>

Spokesman: Chinese leaders will not speak with Abe

Chinese leaders will not have any dialogue with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing on Monday.

"In regard to such a Japanese leader, the Chinese people will certainly not welcome him, and the Chinese leaders will unquestionably not speak with him either," Qin said at a regular press briefing. >>>