On August 15, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, while Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi personally visited the site to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II.
The visits have sparked acute reactions in China and South Korea, both countries that were subjected to Japanese aggression during World War II.
Representatives from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party also made the pilgrimage: General Secretary Shunichi Suzuki, Chairman of the General Council Haruko Arimura, and Head of the Electoral Strategy Committee Yasutoshi Nishimura.
Yasukuni Shrine is controversial for honoring 14 convicted Class A war criminals from World War II. In this context, the visits by Japanese officials are perceived by China and South Korea as a potential justification for Japanese militarism.
