Japan defence minister visits Yasukuni war shrine, PM Takaichi stays away
There had been speculation that Sanae Takaichi, a regular visitor before becoming Japan's prime minister in October 2025, might visit the shrine like then-premier Shinzo Abe had done in 2013.
Japan's Defence Minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, visited the Yasukuni War Shrine on August 15, 2025, marking the 81st anniversary since Japan's surrender in World War II. However, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not attend the event. The shrine, dedicated to 2.5 million war dead, including convicted war criminals, has been a source of controversy between Japan and its neighbours due to the inclusion of war criminals.
The visit by Koizumi, who is a regular at the shrine, could potentially strain relations with China, South Korea, and North Korea. In the past, Takaichi had sent an offering to the shrine and participated in cultural exchanges with other nations, but her visits to Yasukuni have often been met with criticism, especially from China.
On the same day, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson, Senior Colonel Chen Xi, warned against "neo-militarism" in Japan and urged the country to reflect on its crimes and adhere to the post-war international order.
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