Japan marks the 81st anniversary of the end of World War II with actions involving the controversial Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. On Saturday, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sends a ritual offering to the shrine, while Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visits the site.
Both outlets describe Takaichi as a conservative figure who is widely expected to avoid an on-site visit during the anniversary. The shrine honours Japan’s war dead, including leaders convicted of war crimes, a factor that has made visits by Japanese leaders a recurring source of diplomatic tension.
Coverage also highlights the broader context: Yasukuni has long dogged Japan’s relations with neighbouring countries, particularly in Asia, where the shrine is seen by some as linked to Japan’s wartime history. Japan Today focuses on Koizumi’s visit, while the South China Morning Post places additional emphasis on Takaichi’s offering and the expectation that she would not attend herself.
