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

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

Japanese leader skips controversial shrine visit, avoids mention of remorse on surrender anniversary  AP News

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

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.

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The war-linked Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo has announced on its official website that it will ban cosplay and the wearing of military-re