Demonstrations held agasint Japanese PM in Los Angeles

Several hundred Chinese, Koreans and local Americans demonstrated here Friday against visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who failed to make a formal apology for Japan's World War II crimes.

Organized by different groups, the protestors, composed of about 400 Chinese and 200 Koreans as well as some local Americans, rallied outside the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles where Abe attended a forum on trade between Japan and the United States.

They shouted "Abe, Liar!" "Abe, Apology!" and other words when Abe arrived at the hotel.

The local American groups also protested against the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks between Japan and the United States.

Phillip Mu, an organizer of the Chinese group, told Xinhua that they wanted to show Abe that as long as he does not formally apologize for Japan's WWII crimes to the Asian people, he will meet such protests wherever he goes.

"In the past 70 years, the Japanese government did not reflect on what the country did to harm other Asian peoples during World War II. They are still beefing up their military power. They have tried to infringe upon China's sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands. Overseas Chinese worry about these and can not tolerate the Japanese government to do so."

"Abe does not come to Los Angeles often. So, we are taking this opportunity to show him our protest," said Mu.

"It could be an opportunity for Abe to make a formal apology to the Asian peoples in front of the world during his visit to the United States. It is a pity that he did not do so," Anna Park, a 63-year-old Korean lady who joined the protest with the Korean group, told Xinhua.

Before coming here to attend a series of Japan-U.S.trade and investment events, Abe visited Washington, D.C. earlier this week, meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama and making a speech in the U.S. Congress.

His visit has been accompanied by protests and calls for a formal apology for his country's war past. Endi