Japan's prime minister weighs skipping Yasukuni visit on WWII anniversary
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is reportedly considering not going to the Yasukuni shrine for the World War II end anniversary, a move that could ease regional tensions.
According to insiders, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is contemplating abstaining from a visit to the Yasukuni shrine on the day marking the end of World War II. The shrine, located in Tokyo, commemorates war dead including individuals convicted of war crimes, and past visits by Japanese leaders have repeatedly provoked protests from China and South Korea. Takaichi, who leads the Liberal Democratic Party and is known for a hawkish foreign-policy stance, has not attended the shrine since becoming prime minister in October, though she has made private offerings during its autumn and spring festivals.
No sitting prime minister has visited Yasukuni since Shinzo Abe's 2013 trip, which drew strong criticism abroad. The potential change comes amid strained Japan-China relations after Takaichi warned that a Chinese move on Taiwan could become a "survival-threatening situation" prompting Japanese Self-Defense Forces to act alongside the United States. Observers note that skipping the visit could help temper diplomatic friction with neighboring countries.
Why it matters
A Japanese leader's decision on a symbolic shrine visit can affect Japan's diplomatic ties with China and South Korea.
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