Sanae Takaichi Sends Offering to Yasukuni; China Strongly Protests Despite No Visit
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine as Prime Minister, but avoided a physical visit. China's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the move as an escape from historical responsibility.
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- 📰 Published: April 21, 2026 at 17:01
- 🔍 Collected: April 21, 2026 at 17:32 (30 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 19:15 (1h 43m after Collected)
(Taipei, April 21, Central News Agency) Regarding Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sending a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine today in the name of the "Prime Minister," despite not visiting in person, it has still triggered a fierce reaction from China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said today that China firmly opposes and sternly condemns the Japanese side's "negative moves" regarding the Yasukuni Shrine and has lodged solemn representations and strong protests with Japan.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry held a regular press conference in the afternoon. CCTV News reported that Guo Jiakun made these remarks when answering media inquiries about the matter.
Guo claimed that the Yasukuni Shrine was a "spiritual tool and symbol" of Japanese militarism's aggressive wars and was a "de facto shrine for war criminals." This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, but "outrageously," 80 years later, the "notorious Yasukuni Shrine still enshrines Class-A war criminals of World War II who bear direct responsibility for the war of aggression."
He declared that Japanese officials and politicians have repeatedly visited the Yasukuni Shrine or offered sacrificial items and fees. Japan's "negative moves" on the Yasukuni issue are essentially an "escape from its own crimes, a desecration of historical justice, a provocation to invaded countries, and a challenge to the results of the victory of World War II," facing consistent condemnation and firm opposition from the international community.
To coincide with the Spring Festival (Shunkee Reitaisai), Sanae Takaichi sent an offering called "Masakaki" in the name of "Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi" to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo today. Related sources revealed that Takaichi has decided not to visit in person during the spring festival period.
During her tenure as a Cabinet member, Sanae Takaichi had visited the Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of the end of World War II and during the Spring and Autumn Festivals. However, before she took office as Prime Minister in October 2025, she did not visit in person during the Autumn Festival but instead offered a "Tamagushi-ryo" (ritual fee) in a private capacity.
Japanese media reports pointed out that if Sanae Takaichi visited the Yasukuni Shrine in person, it would inevitably trigger protests from China, where relations are already tense, and could also affect the recently improving Japan-South Korea relations. Therefore, she intended to avoid causing diplomatic issues.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry held a regular press conference in the afternoon. CCTV News reported that Guo Jiakun made these remarks when answering media inquiries about the matter.
Guo claimed that the Yasukuni Shrine was a "spiritual tool and symbol" of Japanese militarism's aggressive wars and was a "de facto shrine for war criminals." This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, but "outrageously," 80 years later, the "notorious Yasukuni Shrine still enshrines Class-A war criminals of World War II who bear direct responsibility for the war of aggression."
He declared that Japanese officials and politicians have repeatedly visited the Yasukuni Shrine or offered sacrificial items and fees. Japan's "negative moves" on the Yasukuni issue are essentially an "escape from its own crimes, a desecration of historical justice, a provocation to invaded countries, and a challenge to the results of the victory of World War II," facing consistent condemnation and firm opposition from the international community.
To coincide with the Spring Festival (Shunkee Reitaisai), Sanae Takaichi sent an offering called "Masakaki" in the name of "Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi" to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo today. Related sources revealed that Takaichi has decided not to visit in person during the spring festival period.
During her tenure as a Cabinet member, Sanae Takaichi had visited the Yasukuni Shrine on the anniversary of the end of World War II and during the Spring and Autumn Festivals. However, before she took office as Prime Minister in October 2025, she did not visit in person during the Autumn Festival but instead offered a "Tamagushi-ryo" (ritual fee) in a private capacity.
Japanese media reports pointed out that if Sanae Takaichi visited the Yasukuni Shrine in person, it would inevitably trigger protests from China, where relations are already tense, and could also affect the recently improving Japan-South Korea relations. Therefore, she intended to avoid causing diplomatic issues.