Sanae Takaichi sends ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine

Sanae Takaichi Yasukuni Shrine Masakaki offering Japan-South Korea relations Japan-China relations

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sent a ritual ‘Masakaki’ offering to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo to mark the start of its three-day autumn festival, which runs from October 17 to October 19. While Takaichi made the offering in her official capacity as Prime Minister, reports indicate she plans to refrain from visiting the shrine in person during this period to avoid diplomatic friction.

The action has drawn strong condemnation from neighboring countries. South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed ‘deep disappointment and regret,’ stating that the shrine glorifies Japan’s past war of aggression and enshrines war criminals. Similarly, the Chinese Embassy in Japan strongly condemned the move, describing the shrine as a symbol of Japanese militarism and accusing the Japanese government of attempting to cover up war crimes and distort historical facts.

Despite the controversy, Takaichi reaffirmed her commitment to inheriting the historical views of previous Japanese cabinets, including the Murayama Statement, during a parliamentary session. The Yasukuni Shrine honors approximately 2.46 million Japanese war dead, including 14 Class-A war criminals convicted by international tribunals.

Entities

Chinese Embassy in Japan · Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Japan · Hideki Tojo · Japan · Liberal Democratic Party · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea · Minoru Kihara · Sanae Takaichi · South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Yasukuni Shrine

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Prime Minister Takaichi reaffirmed her commitment to inheriting the historical views of previous Japanese cabinets, including the Murayama Statement. biz.heraldcorp.com · www.mbn.co.kr
[● 2 SOURCES] Several Japanese cabinet members and lawmakers visited Yasukuni Shrine during the autumn festival.
[● 8 SOURCES] Prime Minister Takaichi plans to refrain from visiting the shrine in person during the autumn festival period. www.womennews.co.kr · www.imaeil.com · www.hani.co.kr · netnews.bg · www.mbn.co.kr · +3 more
[● 8 SOURCES] Yasukuni Shrine enshrines approximately 2.46 million souls, including 14 Class-A war criminals. www.womennews.co.kr · www.imaeil.com · netnews.bg · novini247.com · www.hani.co.kr · +1 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offered ritual offerings known as ‘Masakaki’ to Yasukuni Shrine under her official title. www.womennews.co.kr · kaigai.ch · www.imaeil.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · www.fnn.jp · +7 more
[● 6 SOURCES] South Korea expressed deep disappointment and regret regarding the offerings made to Yasukuni Shrine. kaigai.ch · www.fnn.jp · netnews.bg · novini247.com · canadanewsmedia.ca · +1 more
[● 8 SOURCES] China strongly condemned Japan's actions involving Yasukuni Shrine. kaigai.ch · www.fnn.jp · news.cube-soft.jp · netnews.bg · novini247.com · +1 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The autumn festival at Yasukuni Shrine is scheduled to run from October 17 to October 19. www.womennews.co.kr · www.imaeil.com · www.hani.co.kr · netnews.bg · canadanewsmedia.ca · +1 more