Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender, drawing strong condemnation from China.
Key points
- Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda also visited the Tokyo shrine on Saturday.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi opted not to visit in person but sent a ritual offering.
- China's foreign ministry and defense ministry criticized the visits as reflecting a failure to atone for wartime actions and warning against neo-militarism.
Why it matters
Visits by senior Japanese officials to the Yasukuni Shrine—which honors convicted war criminals alongside millions of other war dead—continue to strain diplomatic relations with regional neighbors like China and South Korea.
Comments
No comments yet.