Japanese economic minister among lawmakers visiting controversial Yasukuni Shrine
發佈日期: 2026-04-22 19:39
TVB News
Several of Japan's top officials visited the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo which honours the nation's war dead as well as several convicted war criminals, drawing condemnation from Beijing.
This as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offered a donation to the shrine but did not take part in the visitation.
Yet another politically-charged visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine was organised by Japan's top brass -- this time consisting of 126 members of the National Diet and lawmakers.
Among the ceremony's participants was Japanese Minister for Economic and Fiscal Policy Minoru Kiuchi, who said he was there to pay his respect and gratitude to the souls of the war dead.
The event also marks the first official visit to the shrine conducted by a member of the Takaichi cabinet.
Just yesterday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi donated a "masakaki" offering to the shrine which was delivered by Liberal Democratic Party member Haruko Arimura.
Yasukuni Shrine honours around 2.5 million of Japan's war dead, but also commemorates 14 convicted Class A war criminals from World War II including former Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, and has long been seen as a source of Japanese militarism by China and both North and South Korea.
This as Japanese prime ministers have avoided visiting the shrine while in office since a 2013 visit by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe heightened tensions between the East Asian neighbours.
Speaking about the latest ceremony attended by Japan's top officials, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the war offerings, calling the visit a "trample on human conscience".
The foreign ministry spokesperson further said Beijing is "indignant at the heinous acts and strongly condemns them".
