Koizumi has visited the shrine four times since April 2001. In his speech, Koizumi also apologized for Japan's military aggression at the annual memorial service in Tokyo. ' Along with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, more than 6,000 participants including politicians and bereaved families of war dead observed a minute of silence at noon in respect for the 2.5 million military personnel as well as 800,000 civilians, who died in war, Kyodo news service reported. Koizumi said he intends to improve relations with China and South Korea in particular and help maintain peace in Asia. "I believe it necessary to join hands, especially with those Asian countries just across the water such as China and South Korea, in maintaining peace and aiming at development in the region." "I would like to forge a future-oriented relationship of cooperation based on mutual understanding and confidence with Asian countries by squarely facing up to the past and correctly understanding history." Nearly 300 people gathered to protest Koizumi's past visits to Yasukuni Shrine and demanded that the prime minister show remorse for the victims of other Asian countries who suffered from Japan's military aggression. They said that by visiting the shrine some Japanese politicians have violated article 20 of the Constitution, which stipulates the separation of religion and the state, the news service said. The emperor also delivered a speech at the memorial service, praying for world peace and hoping that Japan will never wage war again. "Looking back on history, I ardently hope that the horrors of war will never be repeated," the emperor said in his message. --SPA 1340 Local Time 1040 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/283168