Japan’s ministers visit Yasukuni shrine ‘in private capacity’ on World War II anniversary

At least 3 cabinet ministers visited the shrine, which other Asian nations see as a symbol of the country’s wartime aggression

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Japanese lawmakers visit Yasukuni shrine. Photo: Kyodo/via Reuters

Published: 8:53pm, 15 Aug 2024

Japan marked the anniversary on Thursday of its defeat in World War Two with visits by at least three cabinet ministers to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine that other Asian nations see as a symbol of the country’s wartime aggression.

Defence Minister Minoru Kihara, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Yoshitaka Shindo, the economic revitalisation chief, visited the site in Tokyo, the capital.

Fourteen prominent convicted war criminals, including wartime prime minister Hideki Tojo, are among the 2.5 million war dead honoured at the shrine.

“I would like to express my heartfelt condolences today to all those who sacrificed their precious lives and pay my deepest respect,” Kihara said at the shrine, in comments aired on television.

The visits are the first by senior government officials since Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol agreed with US President Joe Biden to pursue deeper security ties.

“I understand that all of them visited the shrine in their private capacity and that it is not a matter for the government to comment on,” Japan’s top government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told a regular press conference.

“It is natural for any nation to pay respect to those who have given their lives for their country.”