Tokyo: Japan’s new prime minister on Sunday sent a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine It honors those killed in the war and is seen by neighboring countries as a symbol of Tokyo’s past militarism.
fumio Self A spokesman for the shrine told AFP that he sent an offering of the “Masakaki” tree under his name as prime minister to celebrate the temple’s biennial celebration, held in spring and autumn.
The temple in central Tokyo honors the 2.5 million war casualties, mostly Japanese, who have been killed since the late 19th century.
But it also covers senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal.
Kishida’s two ministers – Minister of Health and Labor shigeyuki goto And kenji wakamiyaThe minister – in charge of the 2025 World Exhibition in Osaka – also offered sacred trees.
Earlier this year, three top ministers paid tribute at the temple to mark the anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender.
But no Japanese prime minister has appeared there since 2013, when Shinzo Abe Fury erupted in Beijing and Seoul and drew a rare diplomatic rebuke from close ally the United States.
Visits to the dargah by government officials have angered countries that suffered at the hands of Japanese forces during World War II, particularly South Korea and China.
Kyodo News, citing people close to her, reported that Kishida, who became Japan’s prime minister on October 4, is not planning to visit the shrine during the two-day autumn festival.
fumio Self A spokesman for the shrine told AFP that he sent an offering of the “Masakaki” tree under his name as prime minister to celebrate the temple’s biennial celebration, held in spring and autumn.
The temple in central Tokyo honors the 2.5 million war casualties, mostly Japanese, who have been killed since the late 19th century.
But it also covers senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal.
Kishida’s two ministers – Minister of Health and Labor shigeyuki goto And kenji wakamiyaThe minister – in charge of the 2025 World Exhibition in Osaka – also offered sacred trees.
Earlier this year, three top ministers paid tribute at the temple to mark the anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender.
But no Japanese prime minister has appeared there since 2013, when Shinzo Abe Fury erupted in Beijing and Seoul and drew a rare diplomatic rebuke from close ally the United States.
Visits to the dargah by government officials have angered countries that suffered at the hands of Japanese forces during World War II, particularly South Korea and China.
Kyodo News, citing people close to her, reported that Kishida, who became Japan’s prime minister on October 4, is not planning to visit the shrine during the two-day autumn festival.
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