Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sends a ritual offering to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine at the start of the shrine’s three-day autumn festival. The act is carried out as part of the festival observances, even as Takaichi is expected to skip an in-person visit during the period.
South Korea responds by expressing “deep disappointment and regret,” saying that repeated offerings or visits by Japanese leaders are unacceptable because the shrine is seen as glorifying Japan’s past wars and enshrining people regarded as war criminals. The accounts note that the shrine honors about 2.46 million war dead, including 14 Class A figures convicted by international tribunals after World War II.
Outlets also differ slightly in emphasis: coverage highlights that Takaichi has previously visited the shrine but is expected not to do so while prime minister. One report links the decision to the context of strained regional relations, while others focus on Seoul’s call for leaders to confront history in a way that shows “remorse” and “reflection.”
