Japanese PM Suga vows to ‘never again repeat the devastation of war’ but cabinet members visit Yasukuni Shrine

‘Since the end of the war, Japan has consistently walked the path of a country that values peace,’ Suga said in a speech marking the anniversary of the end of World War II

However, visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine by members of Suga’s cabinet as well as former prime minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday were likely to anger China and both Koreas

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A Japanese soldier trains during a joint military drill with French and US forces. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:17pm, 15 Aug 2021Updated: 10:00pm, 15 Aug 2021

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged on Sunday that the country would not wage war again, making the vow on the anniversary of the end of World War II as members of his cabinet visited a controversial shrine.

Nearly eight decades since the end of the war, the conflict remains a source of tension between Japan and its neighbours, particularly China and North and South Korea.

“Since the end of the war, Japan has consistently walked the path of a country that values peace,” Suga said in a speech at a memorial ceremony in Tokyo. “We must never again repeat the devastation of war. We will continue to remain committed to this conviction.”

His comments were little changed from those of his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, at last year’s ceremony, and were echoed by Emperor Naruhito who expressed “deep remorse” for Japan’s wartime past, as he has previously done.

Yet visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine by members of Suga’s cabinet as well as Abe on Sunday were likely to anger China and both Koreas. The shrine saw a constant stream of visitors from early morning, including families with children and people in military uniform, despite persistent rain and the recent spike in coronavirus cases.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Photo: AP

Environmental Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Education Minister Koichi Hagiuda both paid their respects. Suga is not expected to visit, although he did send a ritual offering through his secretary, the Sankei newspaper said.

Yasukuni honours the war dead, including 14 World War II leaders convicted as “Class A” war criminals, making it a flashpoint for tension.