Japan's Takaichi skips controversial Yasukuni Shrine visit on anniversary of World War II surrender
TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stayed away from Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine , apparently to prioritize diplomatic relations with China and South Korea, but did not mention her country’s wartime past in Asia or remorse over it in an address Saturday as Japan marked the 81st anniversary of its surrender in World War II. Takaichi mourned the victims of major devastation in…
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoided visiting the disputed Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender. The visit, which often sparks controversy with China and South Korea, is believed to have been avoided in favor of bolstering relations with those countries. In her address, Takaichi did not reference Japan's wartime conduct or express regret, instead honoring the victims of bombings in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Okinawa, as well as those who fell in foreign conflicts.
She credited these individuals for laying the groundwork for Japan's current peace and prosperity. Takaichi emphasized Japan's ongoing contributions to global peace and its determination not to let the war's tragedy be repeated. She highlighted Japan's potential role as a dependable nation in addressing global challenges. Visits by Japanese officials to the Yasukuni Shrine, which also honors World War II war criminals, have drawn criticism from China and South Korea, who view such trips as emblematic of historical revisionism.
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