"Mourning Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives for the Homeland"… Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan, Yasukuni Shrine Visit Controversy

Post Deleted Amid Growing Controversy
Specific Background of Visit Not Disclosed

Sergii Korsunskyi, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Japan, paid a visit to the Tokyo Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines Class-A war criminals from World War II. Photos of Ambassador Korsunskyi’s visit posted on the embassy’s social media faced criticism and were deleted. On the 3rd, the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan posted three photos on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Ambassador Korsunskyi visited Yasukuni Shrine and mourned those who died for their homeland." The post included photos of Korsunskyi being guided inside the shrine, signing the guestbook, and washing his hands with purified water, all combined into one post.

Ambassador Korsunskyi is known as a pro-Japanese figure in Ukraine. In the past, when the Ukrainian government officially named Hitler, Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito as symbols of fascism on its social media, Korsunskyi publicly requested corrections. At that time, he argued, "The Emperor is unrelated to the outbreak of war and fascists," adding, "This is neither historically accurate nor fair."

Sergii Korsunskyi, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan, visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan on the 3rd.
[Photo by the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan Official X]

Meanwhile, the Yasukuni Shrine, which Ambassador Korsunskyi visited, commemorates approximately 2,466,000 war dead from external wars and civil wars in Japan since the Meiji Restoration in 1868, including 14 Class-A war criminals such as Hideki Tojo, the Prime Minister during the Pacific War. The embassy’s post quickly drew criticism. Most comments in Japanese stated, "Yasukuni Shrine enshrines war criminals," or "The ambassador from an invaded country mourned the Pacific War invaders. He should not have gone." Some even said, "I have donated 20,000 yen (about 180 USD) for Ukraine’s peace so far, but I will no longer send money," indicating they would stop personal support.

On the other hand, conservative Japanese netizens responded with comments such as, "Yasukuni is a shrine built for those who lost their lives for the country. I wish Ukraine good luck," and "Thank you for paying respects. Glory to Ukraine." As the controversy spread, the Embassy of Ukraine in Japan deleted the post. However, critical comments continue on other posts on the embassy’s X account. Neither Ambassador Korsunskyi nor the embassy explained the background of the visit to Yasukuni Shrine. Major Japanese media outlets also did not report on the visit.