Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi drew sharp criticism this week after sending a ritual offering to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, a site commemorating 14 convicted Class-A World War II criminals. The gesture coincided with a visit by 126 cross-party Japanese lawmakers to the controversial shrine during its spring festival, reigniting historical tensions across Asia.
Takaichi's masakaki tree offering on Tuesday marked the start of the three-day ceremony, followed by a monetary tribute on Wednesday. The shrine has long been condemned by neighboring countries as a symbol of Japan's wartime aggression, particularly by victims in the Chinese mainland and the Republic of Korea (ROK).
Analysts note such visits complicate regional diplomacy amid ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties. A Seoul-based historian told KhabarAsia: "These actions reopen wounds from Japan's colonial past while Asian nations collaborate on present-day challenges like supply chain resilience."
Chinese Foreign Ministry officials reiterated calls for Japan to "face history squarely" during a press briefing Thursday. Meanwhile, social media reactions in the ROK showed renewed debates about wartime compensation claims.
