President Ma Ying-jeou said Monday that he saw former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the Martyrs Shrine in suburban Taipei the previous day as a gesture of good will. It was Japan's expression of its friendship for Taiwan, which 'we applauded, ' said Ma at a regular meeting of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT). Ma doubles as KMT chairman. Ma also said he has sensed that Japan attaches importance to Taiwan-Japan links, judging from recent events, including the resumption of direct flight services between the city airports of Taipei -- Taipei International Airport -- and Tokyo -- Tokyo International Airport. Many members of Japan's largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party, including Abe and Taiwan-friendly parliamentarians, took the first flight from Tokyo International Airport, also known as Haneda Airport, and Taipei International Airport, also known as Songshan Airport, since 1979 to celebrate the event, Ma said. Abe arrived in Taiwan Sunday for a two-day visit. His short stop at the Martyrs Shrine, in which he presented flowers and paid respect to the deceased national heroes of Taiwan, drew public attention here. Former President Lee Teng-hui suggested Monday that Taiwanese people should also visit the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo and make a bow. It is 'a gesture of respecting that country,' he said. Commenting on Lee's remarks, Presidential Office spokesman Lo Chih-chiang said 'it is inappropriate for Taiwanese officials to visit the Yasukuni Shrine because the national conditions between the two countries are different.' Several KMT members also contended it was not right to treat the two facilities equally. While Taipei's Martyrs Shrine enshrines national heroes who gave their lives to defending the Republic of China or guarding Taiwan, those enshrined in Tokyo's Yasukuni were invaders, they said. Criticisms against Lee's suggestion were also heard among ruling and opposition lawmakers earlier in the day, with KMT Legislator Lin Yi-shih saying he believed the former president did not understand the feelings of Taiwan's people. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wang Sing-nan contended that as a former president, Lee should not have made the comment. Those enshrined in the Yasukuni Shrine were military criminals who invaded Taiwan and killed Taiwanese people. They were totally different from the Taiwanese martyrs who died for the country, Wang said. 