From The Japan Times · No Author · · 1m 20s
Takaichi makes ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine
Prime Minister Takaichi offers tree stand to Yasukuni Shrine ahead of diplomatic tensions.
In brief
Prime Minister Takaichi offers tree stand to Yasukuni Shrine ahead of diplomatic tensions. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made a ritual tree stand offering to Yasukuni Shrine on Oct 17, 2026, amid strained relations with China and improving ties with South Korea. Originally reported by The Japan Times.
Prime Minister Takaichi makes offering
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made a ritual masakaki tree stand offering to war-related Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Saturday.
Skipping shrine visits
Takaichi is expected to skip a visit to the Shinto shrine during the three-day festival, which runs through Monday.
Historical context
Yasukuni Shrine honors Class-A war criminals and Japan’s war dead, regarded by China and South Korea as a symbol of wartime militarism.
Cabinet members also visit
Minoru Kiuchi, minister in charge of growth strategy, visited the shrine on Saturday, as did Lower House speaker Eisuke Mori, Senate president Masakazu Sekiguchi, and health minister Kenichiro Ueno.
Takaichi's pattern
Takaichi had continued to visit the shrine during its festivals but has not done so since the autumn festival in October last year, shortly before taking office as prime minister.
Diplomatic priorities
She appears to be prioritizing diplomatic relations with China, which have been strained by her remarks on Taiwan, and improving ties with South Korea.
The main idea
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made a ritual tree stand offering to Yasukuni Shrine on Oct 17, 2026, amid strained relations with China and improving ties with South Korea.
