Amid heat and COVID-19, Japanese visit Yasukuni on WW2 anniversary

Members of right wing groups shout "Banzai" for the emperor as they visit Yasukuni Shrine on the 75th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War Two, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Tokyo, Japan August 15, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Men and women of all ages braved scorching heat amid the COVID-19 pandemic to pay their respects at Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, the 75th anniversary of Japan's surrender ending World War Two.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual offering to the shrine for war dead, which also honours some convicted war criminals, but avoided a personal visit that would anger China and South Korea. [L4N2FH01R]