The world fears a "face-off" between Japan and China at the Shangri-La Dialogue, to be held in Singapore from May 30 to June 1. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to deliver a speech at the "track one" annual security forum, which is highly likely to invite criticism from Chinese diplomats.

Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine in December angered Chinese and Korean people because it honors 14 Class-A war criminals. Abe's Cabinet members followed his example to visit the shrine last month, inviting strong reactions from China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea and even the United States.

The late Japanese emperor Showa stopped visiting Yasukuni Shrine after the Class-A war criminals were enshrined there in 1979. The reigning emperor has followed that practice.