Japanese Cabinet Ministers Visit Yasukuni Shrine... First Since Kishida Cabinet Inauguration

"Remembering Late Prime Minister Abe, Japan's Commitment to Peace and Development"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] On the 13th, NHK reported that Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, visited the Tokyo Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined.

According to the report, Minister Nishimura paid a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine that morning. He personally offered a tamagushi (玉串, a wooden branch with white paper strips attached) and wrote "House of Representatives Member Nishimura Yasutoshi" in the guestbook.

This is the first time since Prime Minister Kishida Fumio took office in October last year that a sitting cabinet minister has visited the Yasukuni Shrine. After the visit, Minister Nishimura told reporters, "I sincerely prayed for the peace of the spirits," and added, "Thinking of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who was shot and killed, I resolved to do my utmost for Japan's peace and development."