Japanese Economy Minister Visits Yasukuni Shrine... South Korea Expresses "Deep Regret"

Yasutoshi Nishimura, Second Time This Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Nishimura Yasutoshi, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, visited the Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals are enshrined. This is his second visit this year.

According to Japan's NHK on the 14th, Minister Nishimura said at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting regarding his visit to Yasukuni Shrine, "I believe it is natural and proper to pay respect to the spirits who sacrificed themselves for the country," adding, "I always vow in my heart to never repeat the horrors of war and to continue advancing the path of peace that postwar Japan has taken."

Ahead of the Autumn Festival (Shuki Eitaisei) starting on the 17th, he visited Yasukuni Shrine and personally offered Tamagushi (a sakaki tree branch with white paper strips). Minister Nishimura also visited Yasukuni Shrine on August 13, two days before the anniversary of Japan's defeat (August 15) this year.

In response, a South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "The government expresses deep disappointment and regret over the visit of a Japanese government minister to Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past invasion wars and enshrines war criminals."

Located in Tokyo, Yasukuni Shrine honors the spirits of 2,466,000 people who died in civil wars since the Meiji Restoration and wars initiated by Imperial Japan. Among them, 90% are related to the Pacific War. The shrine also enshrines 14 Class A war criminals from the Pacific War, including former Prime Minister Tojo Hideki, who was executed by hanging following the Far East International Military Tribunal (Tokyo Trials).

Japanese ministers and members of parliament visit Yasukuni Shrine during the Spring (April) and Autumn (October) Festivals and on the anniversary of Japan's defeat (August 15), provoking opposition from neighboring countries such as South Korea.