Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visits Yasukuni Shrine, angering China and South Korea; he offered condolences to war dead on Instagram

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, marking the 81st anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II. The shrine honors 2.5 million war dead, including 14 convicted war criminals, and has long been criticized by Japan's neighbors for its association with wartime atrocities.¹²³

Koizumi, a regular visitor to the shrine, stated on Instagram that he visited to offer his sincere condolences to the heroic spirits who sacrificed their precious lives for the nation. He emphasized Japan's commitment to peace, saying, “Along with our vow to renounce war, I reaffirmed our determination to continue fulfilling our responsibility to uphold Japan’s postwar path as a peaceful nation.”

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the visit, asserting that they have lodged “strong protests with the Japanese side.” South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep regret” over what it termed the “anachronistic” actions of Japanese leaders, urging them to demonstrate “humble reflection and sincere remorse” for the past.⁴⁵⁶

Local media reported that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has also visited the shrine, sent an offering but did not attend. The last sitting Japanese prime minister to visit was Shinzo Abe, whose visit drew disappointment from the Obama administration.