Abe Offers Tribute to Yasukuni Shrine... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Expresses "Disappointment and Concern" Over Shrine Visit and Tribute

"Japanese Responsible Leaders Must Show Reflection and Repentance Through Concrete Actions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the anniversary of the Pacific War defeat (end of the war), the government expressed disappointment and concern over the Japanese government and parliamentary leaders glorifying Japan's past invasion wars and visiting and offering tributes at Yasukuni Shrine, where war criminals are enshrined.

On the 15th, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a commentary, "We express deep disappointment and concern over the Japanese government and parliamentary leaders once again offering tributes and repeatedly visiting Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past invasion wars and enshrines war criminals."

They urged responsible Japanese leaders to demonstrate reflection and remorse through concrete actions.

The spokesperson emphasized, "The government sternly points out that responsible Japanese leaders must face history correctly and show humble reflection and genuine remorse for past events through actual actions," adding, "This is essential to build a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship and to gain the trust of neighboring countries and the international community."

On the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered tributes at Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals are enshrined. Prime Minister Abe sent funds for the wooden ritual decoration 'Tamagushi' to be offered at Yasukuni Shrine in his capacity as president of the Liberal Democratic Party. Shuichi Takatori, special advisor to the LDP president who delivered the offering, conveyed that "Prime Minister Abe expressed sincere respect and gratitude to the war dead who became the cornerstone of peace."

Both visiting the shrine and offering tributes are regarded as acts condoning the invasion war, drawing backlash from neighboring countries. On this day, Environment Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Koichi Hagiuda, who joined the cabinet in September last year, also visited the shrine. This is the first time in four years since 2016 that Japanese ministers have visited Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of the defeat.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.