TOKYO (AP) — Two Japanese Cabinet ministers paid respects Friday at a Tokyo shrine that honors the war dead including convicted criminals, a move that drew immediate criticism from South Korea, although Japan’s prime minister stayed away.

Keiji Furuya, chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, one of the two ministers who visited Yasukuni Shrine, said it was “only natural as a Japanese” to honor those who had given up their lives for their country. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Yoshitaka Shindo told reporters his visit was a vow to never wage war again.