Japan's premier was on a pilgrimage to Tokyo's Yasukuni war shrine, despite protests by China and South Korea. Around 30 demonstrators gathered outside Japan’s embassy in China.
This was Junichiro Koizumi's first visit to the memorial on the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two.War dead numbering 2.5 million lie there, including 14 war criminals. China and South Korea called the visit offensive to victims of Japan's military past. Beijing riot police entered the Japanese embassy, preparing for demonstrations.