Japan's defense chief visits shrine neighbors see as symbol of Japanese militarism

Tokyo — The Japanese defense minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, visited the Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, a site perceived by Asia's neighbors as emblematic of Japan's historical militarism. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has previously committed to visiting the shrine on the day commemorating Japan's surrender, is likely to absent herself from the event to prevent diplomatic tensions.

Such visits to the shrine, which also honors war criminals, have drawn criticism from China and South Korea, who interpret them as evidence of Japan's insensitivity towards the atrocities committed during World War II. Koizumi has frequently attended the shrine to commemorate Japan's end of the war, but this particular visit, undertaken as a defense minister intent on strengthening Japan's military capabilities and weapons exports under Takaichi's assertive administration, is deemed particularly contentious.

Koizumi declined to comment on the matter and maneuvered past reporters upon exiting the shrine. He is the son of the late former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose own visits to Yasukuni sparked outrage in China.