Abe Makes Bizarre Remark Saying "I Thought of Ukraine" While Visiting Yasukuni Shrine, an 'A-Class War Criminal' Site

LDP Policy Research Council Chairman "Condolences to the Fallen Spirits in Ukraine"

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. /Photo by EPA Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals are enshrined, and mentioned the Ukraine situation.

According to Kyodo News and FNN News, Abe attended the spring grand festival (Reitaisai) at Yasukuni Shrine on the 21st and paid respects to the spirits of the war dead.

After the visit, former Prime Minister Abe told reporters, "I visited to pay my respects to the spirits who sacrificed their lives for the country, thinking of the homeland and worrying about the future of their families," adding, "Many people are risking their lives to protect their homeland in Ukraine. I quietly paid my respects, keeping in mind that the country is protected by such courageous and noble sacrifices."

Saeko Takaiichi, the LDP Policy Research Council Chair who also visited, said, "Watching the Ukraine situation, I mourned and expressed gratitude for the spirits who died in harsh circumstances to protect the Japanese people, territory, and sovereignty."

Tribute offered by Japanese Prime Minister Kishida at Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals are enshrined.
Photo by Yonhap News

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida offered a sacred branch called Masakaki as 'Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.' Kishida plans not to visit the shrine in person during the Reitaisai, which continues until the 22nd.

Meanwhile, Yasukuni Shrine enshrines the spirits of about 2,466,000 people who died in civil wars after the Meiji Restoration and numerous wars waged by Imperial Japan. Of these, nearly 90%, or 2,133,000, are related to the Pacific War. Notably, 14 Class A war criminals from the Pacific War, including Hideki Tojo (1884?1948), are enshrined there, and visits by politicians are perceived as acts that glorify Japan's aggressive wars.

During his tenure as prime minister, Abe visited Yasukuni Shrine in December 2013, causing a major domestic and international uproar. Afterwards, he substituted visits by sending offerings or covering offering costs, but after stepping down, he repeatedly visited on the anniversary of Japan's defeat (August 15) and during the Reitaisai.

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