TOKYO, 15 August, 2026 (Ghufran): Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, marking the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, drawing strong criticism from China and South Korea.Koizumi, dressed in a dark suit and tie, visited the shrine in central Tokyo, according to local media. Japan’s Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda also visited the shrine, public broadcaster NHK reported.Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who had visited the shrine several times before becoming prime minister last October, sent a ritual offering, according to Kyodo news agency.China strongly condemned the visits and offerings, with a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying Beijing had lodged a formal protest with Japan.South Korea’s Foreign Ministry also expressed “deep regret” over what it described as “anachronistic” actions by Japanese leaders who visited or sent offerings to the shrine.Seoul urged Japanese leaders to face their country’s wartime history and demonstrate through concrete actions sincere reflection and remorse, saying this was essential for building future-oriented relations based on trust.

Yasukuni Shrine commemorates around 2.5 million Japanese war dead, including 14 wartime leaders convicted of serious war crimes and more than 1,000 others convicted by Allied tribunals following Japan’s defeat in 1945.China and South Korea have repeatedly criticised visits by senior Japanese officials to the shrine, arguing that they downplay Japan’s wartime aggression and harm diplomatic relations. Japanese officials have defended previous visits by saying they were made in a personal capacity to honour those who died in Japan’s wars.The last sitting Japanese prime minister to visit Yasukuni was Shinzo Abe in December 2013. Abe’s visit drew an expression of disappointment from the administration of then-US President Barack Obama.Koizumi has also visited the shrine in the past, including last year when he was serving as agriculture minister. The last sitting Japanese prime minister to visit the shrine on the anniversary of Japan’s surrender was his father, Junichiro Koizumi, in 2006.