What is Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, linked to Japan’s wartime atrocities?

Live updates

1. 28d ago

   Japan's Defence Minister Visits Yasukuni Shrine

   Japan's Defence Minister visited the contentious Yasukuni Shrine, a site linked to Japan's wartime atrocities. The shrine honours Japan's war dead, including Class-A war criminals. This move has sparked protests from China and other countries. The visit has raised concerns about Japan's stance on its wartime past.

   Why it matters

   The Yasukuni Shrine is a highly sensitive topic in Japan and abroad due to its association with Class-A war criminals and Japan's wartime atrocities. The shrine's visit has been a recurring point of contention for Japanese politicians and international relations, particularly with China and South Korea. Japan's wartime past and its current stance on historical issues continue to impact its relationships with neighbouring countries.

   What is confirmed

   • The Yasukuni Shrine honours Japan's war dead, including Class-A war criminals.
   • Japan's Defence Minister visited the contentious Yasukuni Shrine.
   • The visit sparked protests from China and other countries.

   What to watch next

   • Japan PM's response to China protests
   • Reaction from South Korea
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. Reuters — Japan defence minister visits contentious Yasukuni Shrine to war dead
   2. Bloomberg.com — China Protests Japan PM, Defense Minister’s Yasukuni Actions
   3. The Japan Times — Takaichi drops ‘remorse’ in her first war memorial address
   4. Politico — Takaichi skips controversial shrine on 81st anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender
   5. Al Jazeera — What is Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, linked to Japan’s wartime atrocities?
   6. The Japan Times — At Yasukuni, the politicians followed the script, but the shrine did not
   7. The Japan Times — Behind Takaichi’s subtle signals at Japan’s WWII events
   confidence 90%