On his last day in office as Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, 2006 at 7:30 AM (Japan Time). He was honoring a promise he made to those who elected him to office that he would visit Yasukuni at least once during his term. He made this promise fully aware that this act would anger Japan's neighboring Asian countries as well as the rest of the free and democratic world. To those who are unfamiliar with Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, it is the final resting place and memorial to the war criminals who were responsible for much of the atrocities committed against the populations of Japan's Asian neighbors. For any Prime Minister of Japan to visit Yasukuni Shrine, either privately or publicly, it is considered an insult and a slap in the face to those concerned countries. Koizumi chose to do so publicly which makes his insult even worse. It was considered a hostile act to many in Japan as well, especially Japan's Asian minorities, who even though born and raised in Japan, are denied citizenship.