Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo: A Controversial Symbol Tied to Japan's Wartime Past

Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is one of Japan's most revered sites, attracting millions of visitors each year. Built to commemorate approximately 2.5 million people, mostly Japanese soldiers and civilians who died during World War II, the shrine also enshrines 14 convicted war criminals, making it a highly charged symbol of Japan's colonial-era atrocities in Asia.

Recently, a visit by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi drew condemnation from China and South Korea, which view such actions as evidence that Tokyo has not atoned for the brutal acts committed by its military. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who frequently visited the shrine before taking office in October, did not go in person this time but instead sent a ritual offering and bowed from afar, following the tradition of previous prime ministers.

History of Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine, or Yasukuni Jinja, was founded in 1869 during the reign of Emperor Meiji to enshrine the souls of soldiers who died in the nation's wars. According to the shrine's website, “Yasukuni” means preserving peace in Japanese. When Emperor Meiji made his first visit in January 1874, he composed a poem: “I assure those who fought and died for the country that your names will live forever at this shrine in Musashino.”

About 2.5 million people, including Japanese war criminals who fought against Qing China, other Asian nations, and the Soviet Union in World War II, are enshrined here.

Who visits the shrine?

During annual war commemorations, Japanese politicians and citizens visit the shrine to pay respects to the departed. Millions visit each year. An imperial envoy also visits during the shrine's spring and autumn festivals.

In the past, several Japanese prime ministers have visited. Yasuhiro Nakasone was the first, in 1985. Junichiro Koizumi, prime minister from 2001 to 2006, also visited frequently. However, Shinzo Abe was the last sitting prime minister to visit, in December 2013, which drew disappointment from the administration of then-U.S. President Barack Obama.

Why is the shrine controversial?

According to the Japan Times, Prime Minister Takaichi did not go to the shrine on Saturday but stopped her car at a parking lot about 200 meters away, bowed twice, clapped twice, and bowed again toward the shrine. Critics say this move comes as South Korea and China denounce Japanese politicians' visits.

“My goal is to create an environment to gain understanding from allies and neighboring countries,” Takaichi said in February when asked about the prime minister's visits, according to the Japan Times. However, AP reported she did not mention Japan's war crimes or express remorse.

The controversy began in 1978 when 14 Japanese civilian and military leaders, convicted by international courts after the war and dubbed “Class-A war criminals,” were enshrined there. Along with at least 1,000 others, they were convicted by Allied tribunals after Japan's defeat in 1945.

Japan's military committed numerous atrocities, including mass killings and forcing women into sexual slavery after invading and occupying vast parts of Asia before and during the war. Millions died during Japan's militarist era.

Japan has pursued pacifism since its surrender, but memories of colonial crimes remain strong, especially in neighboring countries like China, South Korea, North Korea, and Taiwan. They view Japanese officials' visits as a lack of remorse for wartime actions.

On Saturday, China's Foreign Ministry in Beijing said it “strongly condemns” Prime Minister Takaichi's offering and Defense Minister's visit to the shrine. “We have lodged strong protests with the Japanese side,” the ministry said.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry expressed “deep regret” over the “anachronistic” actions of Japanese leaders in sending offerings or visiting Yasukuni Shrine. Seoul urged Japanese leaders to confront history and demonstrate “humble reflection and sincere remorse” through action.

However, some Japanese officials defend the visits as personal acts to honor the fallen. At the 81st anniversary commemoration of Japan's surrender on Saturday, Defense Minister Koizumi visited the shrine and told reporters: “Along with the vow to renounce war, I reaffirm my determination to continue fulfilling the responsibility of maintaining Japan's postwar path as a peaceful nation.”

Japan's history of atrocities in China and Korea

In 1931, Japanese forces invaded Manchuria in northeastern China, which included territory of China and the Soviet Union. During the Second Sino-Japanese War from 1937 to 1945, an estimated 15–20 million Chinese died, while Japanese officials say about 48,000 of their soldiers were killed.

In 1910, the Empire of Japan annexed the entire Korean Peninsula, using many Koreans as forced laborers and sending many women to military brothels across Asia and Japan, known as “comfort women.” The occupation ended in 1945, but relations between Tokyo and both North and South Korea remain strained over historical grievances.