Japan's Ishiba Offers Tribute at Yasukuni Shrine... Government Calls It "Glorification of Aggressive War"

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba offered tribute at Yasukuni Shrine, where 14 Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined. Our government expressed regret, stating that this glorifies the invasion war.

On the 17th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in the name of its spokesperson, saying, "The government expresses deep disappointment and regret over Japan's responsible leaders once again offering tribute or repeatedly visiting Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past invasion war and enshrines war criminals."

President Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with Japan's new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Korea-Japan summit held at a hotel in Vientiane, Laos, on the 10th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

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It added, "We urge the responsible leaders of the new Japanese cabinet to face history, demonstrate humble reflection on the past, and show genuine remorse through their actions," emphasizing that "this is an important foundation for building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship based on mutual trust between the two countries."

According to Japanese media, Prime Minister Ishiba offered tribute at Yasukuni Shrine for the first time since taking office, coinciding with the start of the autumn festival. The tribute, called 'masakaki,' is a type of ceremonial offering placed on the altar or shrine, and the tribute offering appears to follow the precedent set by former prime ministers.

On the 17th, offerings donated by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba were placed at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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Yasukuni Shrine commemorates the spirits of approximately 2.46 million people who died in civil wars after the Meiji Restoration and numerous wars led by Imperial Japan. About 90% are related to the Pacific War. Fourteen Class A war criminals, including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, who was executed following the Far East International Military Tribunal, are also enshrined there.

However, Prime Minister Ishiba is not expected to visit Yasukuni Shrine in person during this festival period. Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also only offered tribute without visiting during his three years in office. The last sitting prime minister to visit the shrine in person was former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in December 2013.

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