Three Japanese ministers paid homage at a controversial shrine for war dead yesterday, the 59th anniversary of Japan?s World War II surrender, a move that drew anger from Asian neighbours. The annual visit to Tokyo?s Yasukuni Shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of the militarist regime that led Japan into war, was more charged than usual, given the participation of Japanese troops in a humanitarian mission to Iraq, their riskiest overseas mission since the war.

Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa, Agriculture Minister Yoshiyuki Kamei, and National Public Safety Commission chairwoman Kiyoko Ono paid homage at the shrine, as did Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara, war veterans dressed in vintage uniforms and hundreds of members of the public.

Yasukuni is dedicated to the 2.5 million Japanese who have died in wars since 1853, including several convicted war criminals. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who has outraged Japan?s Asian neighbours with his annual visits to the shrine, marked the end of the war at separate secular ceremonies. ?We want to make an active contribution to world peace and will do our utmost to gain a higher level of trust from the world?, Koizumi said at a memorial ceremony, in what media said was a reference to his determination to keep troops in Iraq. Koizumi, who last went to Yasukuni on January 1, pledged this week to visit the shrine again next year. He avoids Aug. 15, an emotive date for Asian nations that suffered from Japan?s wartime aggression.

Ishihara, a nationalist who visits Yasukuni every year, suggested that the Emperor should visit the shrine next year to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the war. ?As the symbol of the country, the greatest thing the Emperor could do to fulfil his responsibility to his people would be to visit Yasukuni?, Ishihara told a television talk show broadcast by the private Fuji television network. Emperor Akihito has never paid homage at Yasukuni, although his father Hirohito did so several times after the war.

Past visits by Koizumi and other officials have hampered ties with Asian neighbours, particularly China, which was swift to react. ?We express our deep regret for the negative behaviour adopted by a handful of political figures in Japan?, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in a statement. ?The Chinese side hopes the Japanese side will honour its word by facing up to history ... and not take actions that hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and peoples of other countries that were victims.?

A tentative plan for Koizumi to travel to China in 2002 came to nothing after Beijing was infuriated by his shrine visit that year. Analysts said such visits were a factor behind the hostility of Chinese soccer fans towards the Japanese team at last week?s Asian Cup. ?Our country inflicted enormous loss and suffering on many countries, particularly in Asia,? Koizumi said at the ceremony. ?As Japan?s representative, I would like to reflect on that.?

Shrine visitors seemed unconcerned by criticism from abroad. ?China and North and South Korea may oppose it, but they have no right to do so. Different countries have different policies and ways of doing things?, said Yoshiko Takeda, a 21-year-old student paying her respects at the shrine. ?I don?t think we should stop doing it just because they say so.?

This year the anniversary was more emotionally charged than usual, given increasing calls for Japan to revise its pacifist constitution. On Friday, US State Secretary Colin Powell said Japan must consider revising the constitution if it wants to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council

Elaine LIES Isabel REYNOLDS