Japan's Ministers Spark Controversy with Visits to War Shrine

Japan marked the anniversary of its World War Two defeat with visits to the Yasukuni shrine by three cabinet ministers. This shrine, controversial among Asian nations, honors war dead including convicted war criminals. South Korea and China criticized the visits, urging Japan to confront its wartime history responsibly.

On Thursday, Japan commemorated the anniversary of its World War Two defeat with visits from three cabinet ministers to the Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, a site symbolizing wartime aggression for many Asian nations. Among those present were Defence Minister Minoru Kihara, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, and Economic Revitalisation Chief Yoshitaka Shindo.

The shrine, which honors 2.5 million war dead including 14 convicted war criminals like wartime Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, remains a controversial monument. 'I would like to express my heartfelt condolences today to all those who sacrificed their precious lives and pay my deepest respect,' Kihara stated during his visit, his comments aired on television.

These visits arrive following an agreement between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and U.S. President Joe Biden to develop deeper security ties. Japan's top government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi, addressing the private capacity of the ministers' visits, said the government had no comment. Meanwhile, South Korea and China urged Japan for a more introspective and responsible approach regarding its wartime actions.

(With inputs from agencies.)