What is Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, linked to Japan’s wartime atrocities?

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The shrine honors Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals from Imperial Japan's invasions. This visit drew criticism from China and South Korea, who view the shrine as a symbol of Japan's insufficient atonement for wartime atrocities. Koizumi stated he visited to offer condolences and reaffirm Japan's commitment to its postwar path as a peaceful nation. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a past visitor, did not attend but reportedly sent an offering.

On the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II, Japan's Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a site that honors convicted war criminals. While Takaichi, a conservative, is expected to avoid a personal visit, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the shrine, marking the first confirmed visit by a sitting defense minister on the anniversary since August 2024. Another cabinet member, Hitoshi Kikawada, also visited the shrine. These actions by Japanese officials to the Yasukuni Shrine have historically drawn criticism from China and South Korea due to Japan's wartime aggression.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday. This shrine is viewed by China and South Korea as a symbol of Japan's past militarism and commemorates World War II criminals. Visits by Japanese politicians to the shrine have drawn criticism from these neighboring countries, who interpret them as a lack of remorse for wartime atrocities. Koizumi has frequently visited the shrine, including for annual observances of Japan's war end anniversary on August 15. In contrast, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to avoid the shrine to prioritize diplomatic relations with neighboring nations.

Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, established in 1869, commemorates approximately 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 convicted war criminals. Visits by Japanese officials to the shrine, which honors those who died in wars since 1869, have consistently drawn criticism from China and South Korea. These neighboring countries view the shrine as a symbol of Japan's wartime atrocities and a sign of insufficient remorse for its colonial-era actions. While Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit directly, she sent an offering, a practice followed by previous leaders. The controversy intensified in 1978 with the enshrinement of Class A war criminals convicted by post-war tribunals.

China has strongly condemned Japanese officials for visiting the Yasukuni Shrine and making offerings on the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. Beijing lodged a formal protest after Japanese defense chief Shinjiro Koizumi visited the shrine on Saturday. Other officials, including Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Minoru Kiuchi, Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda, and state minister Hitoshi Kikawada, also visited the shrine. While Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit in person, she sent a ritual offering. China and many other Asian countries view the Yasukuni Shrine as a symbol of Japanese militarism.