Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of WWII surrender, drawing strong condemnation and protests from China and South Korea.
South Korea denounced visits to the Yasukuni Shrine by Japanese officials and politicians on the anniversary of Japan's 1945 surrender, urging leaders to squarely face history.
Japanese ministers Minoru Kiuchi, Kimi Onoda, and Hitoshi Kikawada visited the Yasukuni Shrine, prompting strong condemnation and protests from China's foreign and defense ministries.
South Korean ruling and opposition lawmakers expressed regret over Japanese officials visiting the Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of Japan's WWII surrender, calling it an anachronistic provocation.
Tokyo's Yasukuni shrine has banned military cosplay on its grounds ahead of the WWII defeat anniversary, aiming to curb visits by ultra-nationalist groups wearing replica uniforms, while exempting active-duty personnel.
North Korea on Saturday criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for sending a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honors Japanese war dead including 14 Class A WWII criminals. Rodong Sinmun called it 'blatant distortion of history and a challenge to international justice and peace,' accusing Tokyo of seeking to disseminate militarism.
Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, prompting South Korea to call for Japan to face its history and show sincere remorse for past war crimes.
South Korea expressed deep disappointment and regret after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japanese war dead including 14 Class A WWII criminals. Seoul urged Tokyo to face history and demonstrate humble reflection through action.
