Government Expresses Regret Over Yasukuni Shrine Visits by Japanese Ruling and Opposition Lawmakers

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The government expressed concern and regret on the 7th over the collective visit of Japanese ruling and opposition party lawmakers to Yasukuni Shrine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a spokesperson's comment that “We express deep concern and regret over the large-scale visit to Yasukuni Shrine, a symbolic facility that glorifies colonial invasion and aggressive war, by responsible senior leaders shortly after the formation of Japan's new parliament.”

It added, “We sternly point out once again that the international community can trust Japan only when it correctly faces history and shows humble reflection and genuine remorse for its past through actions.”

Earlier, 99 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties belonging to the cross-party group ‘National Diet Members Who Visit Yasukuni Shrine Together’ (68 from the House of Representatives and 31 from the House of Councillors) visited Yasukuni Shrine in the morning.

Among the visitors were government officials including Hosoda Kenichiro, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Mutai Suke, Vice Minister of the Environment.

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