Right After Abe's Resignation, Visit to 'Yasukuni' Shrine... Government Expresses "Deep Concern and Regret, History Must Be Properly Faced" (Comprehensive)

Former Prime Minister Abe Revealed on Twitter on the Morning of the 19th... Confirmed Visit After 6 Years and 8 Months
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "International Trust Requires Humble Reflection and Genuine Apology for Past History"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government has expressed strong concerns and regrets regarding former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, where Class-A war criminals are enshrined, immediately after his resignation.

On the 19th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a spokesperson's comment, "We express deep concern and regret over former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Yasukuni Shrine, a symbolic facility that glorifies Japan's colonial invasion and aggressive wars, immediately after his resignation."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further emphasized, "The government sternly points out once again that Japan's neighboring countries and the international community can trust Japan only when its leading figures face history correctly and demonstrate humble reflection and sincere remorse for past history through their actions."

Former Prime Minister Abe wrote on Twitter that morning, "Today, I visited Yasukuni Shrine and reported to the spirits that I resigned as Prime Minister on the 16th of this month." He also posted a photo showing him moving within the precincts of Yasukuni Shrine. This is the first confirmed visit by Abe to Yasukuni Shrine in about six years and eight months.

During his tenure as Prime Minister, Abe faced strong criticism both inside and outside Japan for visiting Yasukuni Shrine and subsequently refrained from visiting. However, once freed from the political burden of being the "incumbent Prime Minister," he quickly resumed visits, reaffirming his far-right stance.

With his successor Yoshihide Suga proclaiming the "inheritance of the Abe administration," this is also interpreted as a political message to the conservative and right-wing factions, the main support base of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

On December 26, 2013, marking the first anniversary of his return to power, Abe made a sudden visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which drew criticism for justifying Japan's aggressive wars. South Korea and China strongly protested, and the United States also issued a statement expressing disappointment.

Since then, Abe has replaced visits with offerings or payments for offerings during the annual spring and autumn festivals of Yasukuni Shrine or on Japan's defeat anniversary (August 15).

Yasukuni Shrine enshrines 14 Class-A war criminals, including Hideki Tojo, who were executed by hanging following the Far East International Military Tribunal (Tokyo Trials).

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