Members of nine tribes from Taiwan traveled to Japan to call for the removal of their ancestors' names from a shrine to veterans who died in World War II.

Tribal members say their ancestors were forced by Japan to join the Aboriginal Volunteer Army. An estimated 27,000 Taiwan aboriginals fought in various wars for 50 years beginning in 1895.

The group planned a protest outside the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo but was stopped when an unrelated group clashed with police. The protest coincided with Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the shrine.

Get the Story:
Taiwanese indigenous group calls off ritual after tense standoff at Yasukuni Shrine (The Asahi Shimbun 6/14)
Taiwan aboriginals cancel Yasukuni protest due to rightist presence (Japan Today 6/14)
Taiwan aborigines demand Japan shrine return spirits (Reuters 6/14)
Aboriginal protesters travel to Japan (The Taipei Times 6/14)