TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday sent a ritual offering to a Tokyo shrine to war dead but did not join senior government officials in a visit, a decision meant to avoid inflaming ties with Beijing as he seeks a Sino-Japanese summit. His offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on the 69th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two still angered South Korea and China, where bitter memories linger of Japan's actions before and during the war. Abe visited the shrine in December, sharply chilling ties with China and South Korea

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday sent a ritual offering to a Tokyo shrine to war dead but did not join senior government officials in a visit, a decision meant to avoid inflaming ties with Beijing as he seeks a Sino-Japanese summit.

His offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on the 69th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War Two still angered South Korea and China, where bitter memories linger of Japan's actions before and during the war.

Abe visited the shrine in December, sharply chilling ties with China and South Korea. By sending an offering on Friday, Abe appeared to be trying not to worsen tensions with both nations while upholding a conservative ideology that takes a less apologetic tone towards Japan's wartime past.

Koichi Hagiuda, an Abe aide and lawmaker, presented the ritual offering, which was made in Abe's name as leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

"He wants to express his respect and to pay homage to the people who sacrificed their lives for the nation, while praying for a lasting peace," Hagiuda told reporters.

Tokyo hopes that if Abe stays away on the emotive anniversary it could send a signal to China of his desire to ease tensions and help pave the way for a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jiping. Recent tentative moves to meet have yet to bear fruit.

Ties between the two nations are strained over a host of issues, included a territorial row over a set of remote islands and China's declaration late last year of an air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea.

Beijing and Seoul have also criticised Abe's government for backing away from its post-war pacifism, by easing weapons export restrictions and ending a ban that has kept the military from fighting abroad.

CHINA WARNS OF RISKY FUTURE

On Friday, Abe visited a non-controversial national cemetery for unidentified Japanese war dead but around 83 members of parliament, including LDP policy chief Sanae Takaichi, paid their respects at Yasukuni. More than 100 sent aides.

China's Xinhua news agency said in a commentary that Abe's show of "compromise and sincerity" was unacceptable.

"One who forgets and denies history does not deserve a future," it added. "It has has become a matter of urgency for the current Japanese leaders to truly reflect upon the lessons of history so as to avert a risky future."

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said the actions of some Japanese politicians were splitting the two nations.

"Our government has urged Japanese leaders to correctly recognize history ... " she said in a speech.

"The relationship between South Korea and Japan can be developed steadily when Japan solves these matters in the proper way, and then the two nations can sincerely celebrate the 50th anniversary of the normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year."

The shrine honours 14 Japanese leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal, as well as Japan's war dead.

Two cabinet ministers visited the shrine within hours of its giant gates opening, joining other lawmakers and scores of ordinary people.

"I think it's natural to pay homage to the people who sacrificed their precious lives for this country," said Keiji Furuya, whose portfolios include the National Public Safety Commission, told reporters at the shrine.

"I am a member of parliament but I am also a Japanese citizen, so while praying for world peace I offered my respects."

School children, businessmen and elderly people in mourning clothes bowed their heads and prayed under a blazing sun amid the buzz of cicadas. Men in military uniforms marched behind a Japanese flag and a banner honouring the Emperor.

Shigeyo Oketa, 80 years old and a maker of traditional geta sandals, said he had been visiting the Yasukuni shrine since his older brother was killed in battle in 1945.

"It's natural for us to come here, we're all human and we should pay respect," he said, cradling a black-and-white photo of his younger self and his mother. "It's none of any other countries' business. Everyone should just be friends."

(Writing by Elaine Lies Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

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