China on December 29 called on Japan to face up to its past aggressions after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's wife visited the notorious Yasukuni war shrine.

Akie Abe on December 28 updated her Facebook page with the news that, yet again, she had chosen Yasukuni as her last visit of the year, according to media reports. Her Facebook page also features posts on visits to the shrine in May and August this year.

The Yasukuni Shrine, regarded by many as a symbol of Japanese militarism, honors 14 Class-A convicted war criminals as well as millions of war dead.

"We urge Japan to squarely face and reflect upon its aggressive past, make a clear break from militarism, and make efforts to strengthen mutual trust and realize reconciliation with its Asian neighbors," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on December 29 at a daily press briefing.

China hopes Japan can match its words with actions in a consistent way on the history issue, Lu said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2015)