Japanese PM sends offering to Yasukuni Shrine
Xinhua · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago1 MIN
Summary
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made an offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, the anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi also prayed at the shrine the same day.
Key Points
- Takaichi sent a ritual “tamagushi” offering through senior officials of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, according to Kyodo News cited by Xinhua.
- CGTN reported that Takaichi made a monetary offering to the shrine, which is located in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.
- August 15 marked the 81st anniversary of Japan's announcement of its unconditional surrender in World War II.
- Yasukuni Shrine honors Japan's war dead, including 14 convicted Class-A war criminals from World War II.
- Visits and offerings by Japanese officials to the shrine have repeatedly drawn criticism at home and abroad, especially from China and South Korea.
Why It Matters
The offering is likely to add to diplomatic friction between Japan and its neighbors because Yasukuni remains closely tied to disputes over wartime memory and responsibility.
China's Ministry of National Defense also used the occasion to warn against what it called the dangers of Japanese neo-militarism and remilitarization.