80 Japanese Ruling and Opposition Lawmakers Make Group Visit to Yasukuni Shrine

Pacific War Class A War Criminals Enshrinement Shrine
Collective Memorial Service Two Months After Defeat Day

Japanese ruling and opposition party lawmakers visited the Yasukuni Shrine, where Class-A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined, to pay their respects.

On the 18th, the Sankei Shimbun reported that members of the cross-party group "Diet Members Who Visit Yasukuni Shrine Together" collectively visited the shrine in the morning to coincide with the Yasukuni Autumn Grand Festival (Reitaisai).

According to an official from the group's secretariat, about 80 participants came from the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, among others.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This group visit to the shrine was the first in about two months since the defeat anniversary on August 15. After the visit, Ichiro Aisawa, a Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker, is scheduled to hold a press conference.

The Yasukuni Autumn Grand Festival continues until the 19th. The day before, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida offered a tribute called "Masakaki" in the name of "Prime Minister Fumio Kishida" but did not visit the shrine in person.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Sanae Takaichi, Minister in charge of Economic Security, and Yoshitaka Shindo, Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, visited Yasukuni on the same day to pay their respects and paid the costs for offerings to the shrine. After the visit, they told reporters, "We expressed our gratitude with respect for the spirits of those who died in the line of duty."

The day before the festival, Yasutoshi Nishimura, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, also visited Yasukuni and similarly paid for offerings.

Since there are both supporters and opponents of visits to Yasukuni Shrine within Japan, some criticism has arisen regarding this visit and the offering payments. However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated at a press conference the day before, "It is natural for any country to show deep respect to those who gave their lives for their country," adding, "Japan's policy to strengthen relations with neighboring countries, including China and South Korea, remains unchanged."