Japanese politicians' Yasukuni visits draw widespread criticism at home and abroad
2026-04-23 09:24:37 source：CGTN
April 22, 2026
More than 100 Japanese government officials and lawmakers visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo this week, prompting widespread domestic and international criticism. Many see the visit as a provocative gesture because of Japan's wartime past.
The visits coincided with the shrine's spring festival and followed a ritual offering sent by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a day earlier. Critics say the actions risk further straining Japan's relations with its Asian neighbors and reflect a troubling political trend.
The Yasukuni Shrine has long been a source of controversy, as it commemorates Japan's war dead, including 14 convicted Class-A war criminals from World War II. Visits by political leaders are widely viewed by neighboring countries as a symbol of Japan's failure to fully confront its militarist past.
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