Japanese Lawmakers' Group Visit to Yasukuni Shrine... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Urges "Sincere Reflection"

Repeated Commentary on the 21st Without Additional Remarks
"True Reflection Must Be Shown Through Actions" Urged

Japanese LDP lawmaker Ichiro Aisawa and other Japanese ruling and opposition party members of the National Diet are collectively visiting Yasukuni Shrine, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined, on the 23rd to mark the Spring Reitaisai (annual grand festival). [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the collective visit to Yasukuni Shrine by 94 Japanese ruling and opposition party lawmakers, where Class A war criminals from the Pacific War are enshrined, stating that "responsible Japanese officials must face history."

At a regular briefing on the 23rd, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soo-seok said in response to related questions, "As stated in the spokesperson's commentary on April 21, our government urges responsible Japanese officials to face history, show humble reflection on the past, and demonstrate genuine remorse through their actions."

Earlier, on the 21st, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement criticizing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for offering a ritual offering at Yasukuni Shrine, expressing "deep disappointment and regret."

At that time, the Foreign Ministry said, "Responsible Japanese leaders have once again offered ritual offerings or paid respects at Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past aggressive wars and enshrines war criminals," urging them to show true reflection through actions for the development of future-oriented Korea-Japan relations.

The Foreign Ministry did not issue a separate statement regarding the Japanese lawmakers' collective visit to Yasukuni Shrine on this day, instead reiterating its position from last week.

Regarding this, a Foreign Ministry official explained, "Considering past precedents, the government has set its position," adding, "We are continuously monitoring developments on the Japanese side concerning historical issues between Korea and Japan and reviewing our response accordingly."

Members of the Japanese bipartisan group "Parliamentarians Visiting Yasukuni Shrine Together," visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on the morning of this day to mark the spring grand festival (Reitaisai).

Members of this group visit Yasukuni Shrine during both the spring and autumn grand festivals. Notably, Sanae Takaichi, Minister in charge of Economic Security, also paid respects on this day. She is the second cabinet member to do so, following Yoshitaka Shindo, Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, on the 21st.

Since taking office in 2021, Prime Minister Kishida has not visited Yasukuni Shrine personally but has offered ritual offerings. Yasukuni Shrine is a facility commemorating the spirits of approximately 2,466,000 people who died in civil wars around the Meiji Restoration and numerous wars caused by Japanese imperialism, including 14 Class A war criminals from the Pacific War.