Japan PM sends offering to war-linked Yasukuni shrine for autumn rite
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, regarded by Japan's neighbors as a symb
Japan's Prime Minister Sanrae Takaichi presented a symbolic offering to Yasukuni shrine on Saturday, marking the beginning of the shrine's three-day autumn festival. The shrine, often criticized by neighboring countries as a symbol of Japan's past militarism, honors both war dead and leaders convicted as war criminals by a post-World War II tribunal.
Takaichi, known for her conservative views, is not expected to visit the shrine during the festival due to strained relations with China and stable ties with South Korea. The shrine enshrined 14 Class-A war criminals, including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, in 1978. Takaichi's predecessors, including Shinzo Abe, have made visits to the shrine, which have provoked harsh criticism from neighboring Asian nations.
Recent tensions include Japan's threat of military action against Taiwan and efforts to improve relations with South Korea, following progress on the issue of wartime forced labor.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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