Japan's defense chief visits shrine neighbors see as symbol of Japanese militarism
- Japan's defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi prayed at Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine on Saturday, according to the report.
- China and South Korea criticize visits to the shrine because it also commemorates convicted World War II criminals and, in their view, reflects a lack of remorse over Japan's wartime actions.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was expected to stay away from the shrine on the anniversary of Japan's surrender to avoid worsening diplomatic tensions.
- Koizumi has visited the shrine on other occasions, but the report said this visit was seen as more contentious because he is defense minister and is pushing to expand Japan's military capabilities and weapons sales.
- The article said attention would later turn to how Takaichi describes wartime history in her first speech as prime minister at a national surrender ceremony.
- Takaichi has repeatedly resisted acknowledging Japan's wartime aggression and atrocities and has said she has no intention to apologize.
Japan's defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Saturday, a site that Japan's neighbors see as a symbol of the country's past militarism. The shrine also commemorates convicted World War II criminals, and visits by Japanese politicians routinely draw criticism from China and South Korea.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was reported to be staying away from the shrine on the anniversary of Japan's surrender, despite earlier saying she intended to visit. Japanese officials and media said the move was meant to avoid adding strain to already difficult ties with Beijing and to preserve relations with Seoul.
Koizumi did not comment as he passed reporters. The report noted that he has often visited the shrine on Aug. 15 and other occasions, but that this trip carried extra weight because he is serving as defense minister under Takaichi's hawkish government and is tied to efforts to strengthen Japan's military and arms sales.
Later in the day, attention was set to shift to Takaichi's first address as prime minister at the national ceremony marking Japan's surrender. The article said she has resisted acknowledging wartime aggression and atrocities and has rejected the idea that Japan should apologize for its past actions.
日本防卫大臣参拜被邻国视为日本军国主义象征的神社
据报道，日本防卫大臣小泉进次郎于周六前往东京靖国神社参拜。对日本邻国而言，这座神社被视为日本过去军国主义的象征。神社同时纪念二战甲级战犯，因此日本政要的参拜经常引发中国和韩国批评。
报道说，尽管首相高市早苗此前表示她打算在日本投降纪念日当天参拜，但她被认为会避开靖国神社。日本官员和媒体称，此举是为了避免进一步加剧与北京的紧张关系，并维持与首尔的关系。
小泉在神社前没有回应记者提问。报道提到，他过去常在8月15日及其他场合参拜靖国神社，但这一次因其防卫大臣身份而更具争议，因为他所在的高市政府正推动增强日本军力和武器出口。
当天稍后，外界关注点将转向高市作为首相在全国投降纪念仪式上的首次讲话。文章说，她多次拒绝承认日本在战争中的侵略和暴行，也拒绝为日本过去的行为道歉。