Takaichi, who had regularly visited the shrine while serving as a minister, is believed to have abstained this year in an apparent bid to avoid diplomatic friction ahead of her expected inauguration as Japan's first female prime minister. Yasukuni honors the war dead as well as Japan's wartime leaders convicted as war criminals by a post-World War II international tribunal, such as former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, who was enshrined in 1978. While Takaichi refrained from visiting, she did make a monetary offering, while outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a ritual offering to the shrine on Friday.
Published at: 2025-10-19 21:19:16
Still want to read the full version? Full article
