Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited the Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines Class-A war criminals from World War II, on the 15th.
This August 15 marks the 81st anniversary of Japan's announcement of unconditional surrender.
This is the first time since 2024, when then Defense Minister Minoru Kihara visited, that a sitting Defense Minister has visited Yasukuni Shrine on August 15; it also marks the seventh consecutive year that a sitting Japanese Cabinet minister has visited the shrine on this day.
In addition to Shinjiro Koizumi, Minister for Regional Revitalization Hitoshi Kikawada also visited Yasukuni Shrine on the same day and made an offering of "tamagushi-ryo" (ritual fee) in a personal capacity.
LDP Secretary-General Toshiyuki Suzuki, General Council Chairwoman Haruko Arimura, and Election Strategy Committee Chairman Yasutoshi Nishimura also visited Yasukuni Shrine together that day.
Sanae Takaichi makes "tamagushi-ryo" offering
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made a "tamagushi-ryo" (ritual fee) offering to Yasukuni Shrine on the same day.
The Yasukuni Shrine, located in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, enshrines 14 Class-A war criminals from World War II, including Hideki Tojo.