Japanese Defence Minister Visits War Shrine, Drawing Anger from China and South Korea

Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, prompting strong criticism from China and South Korea.

Koizumi visited the shrine on Saturday, August 15, marking the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. The shrine honours about 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 wartime leaders convicted of serious war crimes.

China’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the visit, as well as an offering reportedly sent by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and said it had lodged a protest with Tokyo.

South Korea also expressed “deep regret,” describing the actions of Japanese leaders as “anachronistic” and urging Japan to acknowledge its wartime history with sincere remorse.

Koizumi, who has regularly visited Yasukuni, said the purpose of his visit was to pay condolences to those who died for the country. He also reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to remaining a peaceful nation and renouncing war.

Prime Minister Takaichi did not visit the shrine despite speculation that she might attend. Local media reported that she instead sent an offering.

Visits by senior Japanese officials to Yasukuni have long strained relations with China and South Korea because the shrine also commemorates convicted war criminals from Japan’s wartime expansion across Asia.

The last sitting Japanese prime minister to visit the shrine was Shinzo Abe in December 2013.

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