Japan PM Takaichi skips visit to the Yasukuni Shrine

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi yesterday stayed away from the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, apparently to prioritize diplomatic relations with China and South Korea, as Japan marked the 81st anniversary of its surrender in World War II.Takaichi mourned the victims of major devastation in Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Oki

Takaichi skips controversial shrine visit on 81st anniversary of country's World War II surrender  AP News

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoided Tokyo's controversial Yasukuni Shrine to prioritize diplomatic relations with China and South Korea

South Korea denounced visits to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese officials and politicians Saturday, urging Japan's leaders to squarely face history and show remorse in order to develop bilateral relations based on mutual trust. The foreign ministry issued a statement after Japanese ministers and lawmakers visited or se

China has “strongly condemned” Japanese leaders for visiting the controversial Yasukuni Shrine and making an offering on the 81st anniversary of Japan’s announcement of surrender in World War II. Beijing lodged a formal protest after Japanese defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi visited the shrine on Saturday. China and many

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Saturday sent a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, while the co

Japan defence minister visits contentious Yasukuni Shrine to war dead  Reuters

There had been speculation that Sanae Takaichi, a regular visitor before becoming Japan's prime minister in October 2025, might visit the shrine like then-premier Shinzo Abe had done in 2013.

PoliticsPrime minister avoids visit while cabinet members pay tribute to war criminal-linked shrineDoves are released as a symbol of peace at Yasukuni Shrine for the war dead in Tokyo on Aug. 15, marking the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. © ReutersAugust 15, 2026 11:22 JSTTOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japane

Those paying respects included Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi — a regular visitor — and senior members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Japan’s defense minister visited a shrine seen by Japan’s neighbors as a symbol of its wartime militarism, a move that could inflame tensions with China and South Korea.