China Protests Japan PM, Defense Minister’s Yasukuni Actions

On 15 August 2026, the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, Prime Minister Takaichi skipped a visit to Yasukuni Shrine but sent an offering. Kyodo News reported that four ministers did visit, and Reuters reported that the defence minister was among those who went. Nikkei Asia noted that Takaichi did not express Japan's remorse on the anniversary, and WELT described a balancing act: no shrine visit, but no apology either.

China lodged protests over what it called Japan's negative moves regarding the shrine. Chinese state media said the officials' visit and donation violate historical justice, and Beijing described the moves as a 'desecration of justice'. Al Jazeera reported that a ministerial visit angered both China and South Korea.