First Takaichi Cabinet Member Visits Yasukuni Shrine; 126 Cross-Party Lawmakers Participate
During the Yasukuni Shrine's spring festival, Minister Minoru Kiuchi became the first cabinet member of the Takaichi administration to visit. A cross-party group of 126 lawmakers also paid their respects, nearly doubling last autumn's turnout.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 18:53
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 19:02 (8 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 15:03 (20h 1m after Collected)
Central News
(CNA Reporter Tai Ya-chen, Tokyo, 22nd) During the Yasukuni Shrine's spring festival in Japan, the visiting trends of various circles have garnered significant attention. Today, cabinet members, ruling party executives, and cross-party diet members visited one after another. Among them, Minister for Growth Strategy Minoru Kiuchi became the first confirmed cabinet member to visit since the inauguration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet. Additionally, 126 cross-party lawmakers attended the visit, nearly double the number from last autumn's festival.
NHK reported that the Yasukuni Shrine has been holding its spring festival since the 21st. LDP General Council Chairperson Haruko Arimura was the first to visit around 7:20 AM. In an interview, she stated, 'Expressing gratitude to the heroic spirits who sacrificed for the country is crucial, especially given the ongoing conflicts in the current international situation. Praying for peace holds great significance.'
Arimura revealed that she also dedicated a 'tamagushi-ryo' (ritual offering) on behalf of Takaichi in her capacity as LDP President, and stated that Takaichi herself 'must certainly have the intention to visit in person at an appropriate time.' Sources revealed that Takaichi dedicated the offering out of pocket this time under the title of LDP President.
Subsequently, Minoru Kiuchi arrived at the Yasukuni Shrine around 8:50 AM and completed his visit. He expressed his reverence and gratitude to the heroic spirits who dedicated their lives to the country, emphasizing that he will keep the lessons of history in mind so as not to let the tragedy of war repeat itself.
Kiuchi explained that he dedicated a 'masakaki' (sacred tree) branch and tamagushi in a private capacity. This marks the first confirmed visit by a cabinet member to the Yasukuni Shrine since the Takaichi cabinet was formed last October.
Furthermore, the cross-party parliamentary league 'Group of Diet Members for Going to Yasukuni Shrine Together' went as a group to visit around 8 AM. A total of 126 members attended, nearly doubling the 64 members from last autumn's festival. The group included lawmakers from multiple parties such as the LDP, Nippon Ishin no Kai, Democratic Party for the People, and Sanseito.
Within the Takaichi cabinet, Deputy Minister of the Cabinet Office Jun Tsushima, State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Shoko Horiuchi, and State Minister of Finance Shinichi Nakatani attended. Among party leaders, Sanseito representative Sohei Kamiya was present.
Ichiro Aisawa, chairman of the parliamentary league and former LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chair, said, 'The number of participants increased significantly this year. Japan's peace and stability today are built upon the sacrifices of numerous war dead and heroic spirits. Politicians should remember history and handle government affairs prudently.'
At noon the same day, LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi visited the Yasukuni Shrine. He stated that he once again expressed his condolences to the heroic spirits and, as a bereaved family member, expressed gratitude to his ancestors, including his grandfather who died in battle. Kobayashi has frequently visited during the spring and autumn festivals and on the anniversary of the end of the war. (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150422
(CNA Reporter Tai Ya-chen, Tokyo, 22nd) During the Yasukuni Shrine's spring festival in Japan, the visiting trends of various circles have garnered significant attention. Today, cabinet members, ruling party executives, and cross-party diet members visited one after another. Among them, Minister for Growth Strategy Minoru Kiuchi became the first confirmed cabinet member to visit since the inauguration of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet. Additionally, 126 cross-party lawmakers attended the visit, nearly double the number from last autumn's festival.
NHK reported that the Yasukuni Shrine has been holding its spring festival since the 21st. LDP General Council Chairperson Haruko Arimura was the first to visit around 7:20 AM. In an interview, she stated, 'Expressing gratitude to the heroic spirits who sacrificed for the country is crucial, especially given the ongoing conflicts in the current international situation. Praying for peace holds great significance.'
Arimura revealed that she also dedicated a 'tamagushi-ryo' (ritual offering) on behalf of Takaichi in her capacity as LDP President, and stated that Takaichi herself 'must certainly have the intention to visit in person at an appropriate time.' Sources revealed that Takaichi dedicated the offering out of pocket this time under the title of LDP President.
Subsequently, Minoru Kiuchi arrived at the Yasukuni Shrine around 8:50 AM and completed his visit. He expressed his reverence and gratitude to the heroic spirits who dedicated their lives to the country, emphasizing that he will keep the lessons of history in mind so as not to let the tragedy of war repeat itself.
Kiuchi explained that he dedicated a 'masakaki' (sacred tree) branch and tamagushi in a private capacity. This marks the first confirmed visit by a cabinet member to the Yasukuni Shrine since the Takaichi cabinet was formed last October.
Furthermore, the cross-party parliamentary league 'Group of Diet Members for Going to Yasukuni Shrine Together' went as a group to visit around 8 AM. A total of 126 members attended, nearly doubling the 64 members from last autumn's festival. The group included lawmakers from multiple parties such as the LDP, Nippon Ishin no Kai, Democratic Party for the People, and Sanseito.
Within the Takaichi cabinet, Deputy Minister of the Cabinet Office Jun Tsushima, State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Shoko Horiuchi, and State Minister of Finance Shinichi Nakatani attended. Among party leaders, Sanseito representative Sohei Kamiya was present.
Ichiro Aisawa, chairman of the parliamentary league and former LDP Diet Affairs Committee Chair, said, 'The number of participants increased significantly this year. Japan's peace and stability today are built upon the sacrifices of numerous war dead and heroic spirits. Politicians should remember history and handle government affairs prudently.'
At noon the same day, LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi visited the Yasukuni Shrine. He stated that he once again expressed his condolences to the heroic spirits and, as a bereaved family member, expressed gratitude to his ancestors, including his grandfather who died in battle. Kobayashi has frequently visited during the spring and autumn festivals and on the anniversary of the end of the war. (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150422