Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan, dedicated to honoring soldiers and others who died in service to the country, primarily from the Meiji Restoration to the end of World War II. It's newsworthy due to its role in marking the start of Tokyo's cherry blossom season and recent controversy surrounding a planned Pokémon card game event. The official start of the cherry blossom season is declared when the sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine blooms with at least five flowers. Recently, a Pokémon card game event organized by a third party and advertised on the Pokémon Company's website was cancelled after facing backlash, particularly from China. The shrine is often a source of diplomatic tension due to the enshrinement of convicted war criminals, making visits by politicians controversial and drawing criticism from neighboring countries who suffered from Japanese wartime aggression. This incident highlights the shrine's continued sensitivity and its impact on international relations.