{
  "id": 1273742,
  "title": "Takaichi, Yasuku 'remote worship' at Yasukuni... Government \"Outdated act\"",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/story-1273742",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T11:30:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hankyoreh",
    "slug": "hankyoreh",
    "url": "https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/international/china/1273170.html"
  },
  "original_language": "ko",
  "account": "Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan performed a \"remote visit\" to the Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's independence from Japanese rule and Japan's defeat in World War II. The shrine, dedicated to Japan's war dead, is a source of controversy. The Japanese government criticized the move as \"misremembered history\" and \"disregard for the principles of peace.\" Prime Minister Abe attended the ceremony at the shrine after participating in a national remembrance ceremony the previous day. He bowed twice, raised his hands in a gesture of reverence, and then bowed once more, following the official protocol for visiting the shrine. The Prime Minister's office explained that Abe's presence at the shrine was a mark of respect. Japan has a history of requiring shrine visits for soldiers who fell during the colonial era, known as \"kougei yohei\" or \"kosei yohei.\" Abe's actions were unprecedented as he followed up his visit with a donation of war reparations. Abe's predecessor, Shinzo Abe, has participated in the shrine's annual ceremony for the past seven years. Other current Japanese lawmakers have also continued the tradition. Abe's statement at the ceremony, \"I will not repeat the tragedies of war,\" did not include references to reflection or abstention from war crimes, which were absent from previous speeches by Abe. This was similar to statements made by Abe's predecessor, Yasuo Fukuda, who had not spoken those words in 13 years. Abe's statement reflects the stance of former Prime Minister Abe, who has removed such expressions from his speeches. The Korean Foreign Ministry denounced the move, stating that it was inappropriate for Japanese leaders to continue to offer gifts or perform shrine visits, given Japan's historical responsibility for war crimes. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on leaders to show humility and reflect on their history, emphasizing the importance of building trust-based, forward-looking relations between the two countries. China also strongly condemned the shrine visit, calling Japan's shrine a symbol of militarism and nationalism, and urging Japan to reflect on its wartime history.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}