Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Offers Tribute at Yasukuni Shrine

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sent offerings to Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined.

On the 21st, Asahi Shimbun reported that Prime Minister Kishida, on the occasion of the "Chunkei Yetaisei," the major spring festival at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine that began that day, offered a gift called "Masakaki" in his own name. The spring festival event at Yasukuni Shrine is held over two days, on the 21st and the following day, the 22nd.

According to political circles, Kishida had never offered gifts before becoming prime minister. However, after taking office, he followed former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in offering gifts during the spring and autumn Yetaisei festivals, and it is reported that he took the same approach this time as well.

However, he does not plan to visit the shrine in person to pay respects. Asahi Shimbun reported, "Since taking office, Kishida has offered gifts in October 2021, and in April, August, and October of last year, but has never visited the shrine in person."